More than 100 people are feared dead with at least 60 deaths confirmed as Myanmar junta’s navy, army and air force have launched a fourth day of attacks on Singaung village in Thandwe Township, Rakhine State, township residents said.
It is the second massacre in less than two weeks in Rakhine State after at least 76 civilians were killed by regime troops in Byian Phyu village in Sittwe Township near the Rakhine State capital over alleged links with the Arakan Army (AA).
Naval shelling, army shelling and airstrikes have been used against Singaung since Tuesday. The village is where the Thandwe River reaches the Bay of Bengal. The villagers were accused of having links to the AA, whose troops have reportedly entered the village.
Since late April, clashes between the AA and regime troops escalating in villages around Thandwe town, which is home to the Ngapali Beach tourist destination.
As of Thursday, the attacks killed around 10 people and destroyed over 200 homes in the village.
Residents said the regime continued the attacks on Friday.
“Around 120 people have been killed. So far 65 have been buried,” a Thandwe source told The Irrawaddy.
AA spokesman Khine Thuka told The Irrawaddy on Friday evening that more than 60 people were confirmed dead with the number expected to rise.
“The regime’s navy and army shelled the village non-stop and fighter jets are launching airstrikes. The number of the dead and wounded could be more than 100,” he added.
The impact of Friday’s attacks is not known yet.
In Rakhine State, the junta has suffered a series of defeats and has lost a large amount of territory since the AA launched its offensive in November last year.
The armed group has seized 10 of the state’s 17 townships and is in control of much of northern Rakhine.
Recently, the fighting has shifted southward to Thandwe Township and continued near Thandwe Airport on Friday as the AA continued its offensive to seize Thandwe town next to the beach.
The Rakhine media reported that junta troops had taken positions inside the airport and the surrounding area.
