At least 15 civilians were killed and 10 were injured by airstrikes on Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships in northern Arakan State on Thursday, residents told DVB. The two towns, located 20-40 miles (32-64 km) east and north of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, were seized by the Arakan Army (AA) in March 2024.
“The names and ages of the deceased are not yet known due to the lack of phone networks,” a Ponnagyun resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
Two Myanmar Air Force jets dropped 500-pound (226 kg) bombs on Zeekyint village in Rathedaung and Ponnagyun town. A village administrator was among the 15 killed, according to residents.
The regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that the first phase of its planned elections was set to take place on Dec. 28 in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships, which are under regime control.
The second phase of voting, scheduled for Jan. 11, 2026, will not include any constituencies in Arakan State.
The AA has seized control of 14 out of Arakan’s total 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chinland, where regime scheduled elections will also not take place. A major offensive was launched by the AA against regime forces on Nov. 13, 2023.
