At least 160 civilians reported killed in Myanmar airstrikes across Rakhine since February

In a Nutshell:

• Overall Toll:  Since February, at least 160 civilians have been killed by Myanmar military airstrikes across Rakhine State and Paletwa Township. 
• Data Sources: This 160+ figure is a minimum estimate combined from overlapping local reports, as the UN has not released a single consolidated death toll.
• Targeted Areas: The attacks happened in territories controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), including several townships and towns near the Bangladesh border.
• Deadliest Attack: The worst single strike occurred on September 28 at Kyauktaw Township's India Market, killing at least 50 and injuring over 58 people.
• Market Victims: The midday bombing struck a busy 200-shop market, hitting victims from diverse groups including Rakhine, Rohingya, and Hindu communities.
• UN Condemnation:  UN Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the market strike, citing severe concerns regarding international humanitarian law violations.
• Safe Return Blocked: The UN noted that this ongoing violence makes it too dangerous for displaced people and Rohingya refugees to return home safely.
• February Surge: The violence spiked early in the year, with February airstrikes alone killing 35 civilians and injuring 35 others.
• Yoe Ngu Massacre: One of the worst early attacks was a February 24 strike on the Yoe Ngu village market, which killed around 18 to 20 people, including children.
• Summer Fatalities: The violence persisted through the summer, with airstrikes killing 13 civilians in June, 22 in July, and 35 in August.
• October Camp Strikes: The death toll climbed further in October when strikes on displacement camps and a nearby village killed at least eight displaced civilians.
• October Details: Specifically, a Sunday night strike on one camp killed six people, while a follow-up attack on another shelter killed one more and injured two.
• Military Silence: The Myanmar military has largely remained silent on these specific incidents, despite past claims that they exercise "maximum restraint."
• Civilian Impact: The ongoing war between the military and the Arakan Army has ultimately turned everyday civilian spaces like homes, markets, and monasteries, into deadly conflict zones.