The military council continues to conduct military operations in Rakhine State despite declaring a ceasefire, according to a statement from the Humanitarian Development Cooperation Office (HDCO). While the military council announced two ceasefire periods – the first from April 2 to April 22 and the second from April 23 to April 30 – they have carried out 409 military attacks across five townships in Rakhine State, according to official records. These actions demonstrate a clear violation of their own declared ceasefire agreements.
These attacks have resulted in one civilian death and 28 injuries, including five children between the ages of 5 and 14. The destruction extends to physical infrastructure, with 21 homes, 2 shops, and one religious building being damaged or destroyed. The military council has employed various methods of attack against civilians, including airstrikes, drone bombings, mechanized parachute attacks, naval vessel fire, and heavy artillery bombardment, all of which constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law as highlighted by the HDCO. These aggressive actions demonstrate the military council’s disregard for civilian safety and international humanitarian principles.
Notably, on the morning of April 24, three separate suicide drone attacks were carried out in Kyaukphyu Township, resulting in the death of one internally displaced person and injuries to another civilian, as confirmed by local sources. These attacks by the military council represent clear violations of their own declared ceasefire agreements and continue to threaten the safety and security of civilian lives and property, as pointed out by human rights observers. The ongoing military operations in Rakhine State highlight the disconnect between the military council’s public declarations and their actions on the ground, resulting in continued civilian casualties and displacement.
