17 April 2026 – The State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) military carried out airstrikes on 16 April targeting Arakan Army (AA) facilities near Sein Sin village in Paletwa township, Chin State.
Local sources reported that between approximately 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, five aircraft — three jet fighters and two Y-12 reconnaissance planes — dropped around 20 bombs on the area, including a military training ground and a recruitment centre.
A 30-year-old resident described the attack: “The explosions were extremely loud and alarming. There are reports of deaths, injuries, and damage to buildings, but the exact situation remains unclear as the area cannot currently be accessed.”
The strikes caused fatalities, injuries, and structural damage to AA-linked buildings, though the precise number of casualties and the full extent of destruction have not been independently verified.
Paletwa township, located in southern Chin State but long influenced by the Arakan Army, has seen intensified fighting as the AA has expanded its control in the region. The township has experienced multiple airstrikes in recent months, often in response to AA advances or operations against SSPC positions.
This latest incident adds to a pattern of aerial bombardment in western Myanmar, where the SSPC relies heavily on air power amid ground challenges from ethnic armed groups like the AA. Earlier strikes in Paletwa, including a March 2026 attack on a village that killed several civilians including children, have heightened concerns over civilian safety in contested areas.
Verification of casualties continues as access to the targeted zone remains restricted due to ongoing security concerns. – Reporting by Daniel
