Junta airstrikes on Tan Lwe Ywar Ma kill 2 including TU student

Kant Kaw Ni Ni, Narinjara News, 27 September 2024

At least two civilians, including a displaced university student, were killed in the airstrikes conducted by the junta forces on Tan Lwe Ywar Ma town under Taungup district in Arakan State.

The victims include Ko Aung Thura (21 years old and third-year student of Physics department  in Taungup University, who fled from Taungup to escape the conflicts) and a middle-aged man, who worked at a water factory at the entry point of Tan Lwe Ywar Ma town.  

At around 8  pm on 24 September, the junta soldiers dropped four bombs on Tan Lwe Ywar Ma police station and Ywar Thit Chey near Shwe Pyi Thar jetty, using a fighter jet.

During bombings, Ko Aung Thura and the man were killed. Some local residents were also injured. Ko Aung Thura was known for his football skills and his kind nature along with strong social connections.

Tan Lwe Ywar Ma  is currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) and local residents believe that the junta, fearing an AA offensive on Taungup, conducted the airstrikes.

On 22 September, the junta forces cut off electricity in Tan Lwe Ywar Ma after the AA summoned two personnel from the junta's electricity office.

As the town went to  AA’s control on 13 November 2023, the officers from Tan Lwe Ywar Ma police station and their families fled the camp.

Photograph: Damage to Ywar Ma police station and nearby houses after the airstrikes on Tan Lwe Ywar Ma