Read RFA coverage of this story in Burmese.
In the nearly three weeks since Myanmar’s military declared a ceasefire to assist earthquake recovery, it has dropped more than 400 bombs on Rakhine state, according to an insurgent army in the country’s embattled west.
The state is home to one of Myanmar’s largest and most powerful ethnic rebel groups, the Arakan Army, or AA. It has seen escalating conflict in all 17 of its townships since Myanmar’s junta seized power from the country’s democratically-elected government in 2021.
“Instead of honoring their own declaration, junta forces launched 409 military attacks across Kyaukpyu, Taungup, Kyauktaw, Sittwe and Pauktaw townships between April 2–22,” the AA’s, Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office said in a statement released on Thursday.
The AA, which launched an offensive called Operation 1027 with two allied groups in late 2023, has captured 14 of the state’s 17 townships.
On Tuesday, the junta announced another week-long extension of the ceasefire, but the exiled civilian National Unity Government announced soon after that the junta had bombed 12 of the country’s 14 major regions in those three weeks alone, killing more than 160 people and injuring nearly 300 more.
Civilians experiencing the airstrikes told Radio Free Asia the ceasefire extension was “just a show.”
In Rakhine state alone, junta forces attacked with airstrikes, drones, shelling and heavy artillery, killing one civilian and injuring 28, including five children between the ages of five and 14, the AA said in a statement, claiming civilians were the main target.
The attack also damaged and destroyed 21 houses, two shops and one religious building.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the country on March 28, killing more than 3,700 people and causing significant damage. Despite junta claims that the ceasefire would assist in a quicker recovery, humanitarian organizations reported not being allowed to enter affected areas and civilians claimed junta troops had stolen aid.
The attacks have only served as proof that the military never had the intention of honoring their ceasefire, said Moe Htet Nay, who works at independent research group Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica.
“We understand that the military is using this natural disaster our people are facing as a political opportunity to gain an advantage,” he said. “The military has never had good intentions towards the people, but has always thought and stood for their own power and the implementation of their political aspirations.”
RFA called junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the AA’s claim, but he did not answer the phone. The ceasefire is set to end on April 30.
Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.