Junta carried out airstrikes on villages held by AA and allied troops along the western side of the Pathein-Monywa highway in Ayeyarwady Division, killing civilians and destroying homes 

Narinjara, 19 May, 2025 

The offensive by the Arakan Army (AA) and its allied forces is reportedly spreading to the Ayeyarwady Division in the Delta region of Myanmar. 

According to military sources in the region, the AA and allied forces have taken over numerous locations on the western side of the Pathein-Monywa highway in Ayeyarwady Division, while the junta is carrying out airstrikes on several villages in the area, resulting in fatalities and destruction of homes. 

At 6 am on May 18, the military council targeted 3 villages in Lay Myat Nar Township, Ayeyarwady Division with a Y-12 bombing.

ABN reported that the air strikes resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left eight others with serious injuries in Lay Myat Nar township. 

The victims were named as Daw Cho Ma Oo (50), Daw Zee Keut, Daw Khin San Win (45), Maung Aung Ye Thu (10) from Lay Khon Gyi village, and Daw Myint Myint Than (59) from Saw Pyar village, Lay Myat Nar Township. 

The news stated that the terrorist group dropped 9 bombs thrice using Y-12 in Lay Myat Nar Township.  

At present, combat is taking place in several townships near Arakan Roma, such as Ye Kyi, Nga Thaing Chaung, Lay Myat Nar, and Inga Pu townships, prompting residents to flee as the conflict escalates. 

According to a military source in Ayeyarwady Region, local residents are leaving the area following reports that the Artillery Battalion (344) located in Nga Thaing Chaung township is expected to be entirely taken over on May 21 by the AA and its allies, worried that the conflict will extend to their region. 

"Rumors suggest that the AA and joint forces will seize the 344th Artillery Battalion along the Nga Thaing Chaung- Gwa road on May 21. Currently, individuals are fleeing from the towns and villages, anxious that the conflict will expand into the region. They are even fleeing from inside Lay Myat Nar Township. On May 15, the military allegedly requested that displaced individuals in Lay Myat Nar Township return and bring their possessions along,” he noted.

The Pathein-Monywa road is presently closed, and the military has a strong security presence near Artillery Battalion 344, allowing only essential vehicles to pass, he mentioned. 

"The AA has seized neighboring villages, including Pandaw Gyi. The Pathein-Monywa road, accessible from Nga Thaing Chaung, is restricted to essential vehicles only. Access is completely restricted beginning at Yenan Thar Gate. There is a chance of military tension near the 344th Artillery. Residents are additionally stating that the region will be entirely taken over by AA on the 21st,” he added. 

The Arakan Army and its allied forces have seized multiple villages, such as Pandaw Gyi, to the west of the Pathein-Monywa road in the Ayeyarwady Region, adjacent to Rakhine State, and military council troops are allegedly bombing certain villages. 

The Special Intelligence Unit-Pathein also noted that bomb explosions have occurred in Ingapur Township, Hinthada District, Ayeyarwady Region. 

On the morning of May 15, the terrorist military council dropped a bomb near the village school in Chin Kite Kwin, Ingapu Township, and another bomb near the 31st sawmill, resulting in damage to the Shwe Nya Myay betel nut shop after a fire, according to the group's press release. 

On May 15, at 5:30 p.m., airstrikes occurred with paramotors in the regions of Bel Pyay Kone, Sa Si Kone, and Chin Kite Kwin. 

On May 16, at 8:30 p.m., two planes executed airstrikes in the regions of Wha Taw Kwin, Jik Paung Kone, and Thanpura Kone, but the report indicated that civilian casualties remained unverified. 

As the military council keeps losing ground in the Ayeyarwady region, it conducts airstrikes around the clock using fighter jets, helicopters, and paramotors, mainly targeting civilians, reports claim. 

The military source indicated that the AA has control over multiple villages west of the Pathein-Monywa road, next to the Arakan Yoma, and is poised to initiate an attack on the city near Pathein, the capital of Ayeyarwady division, shortly.