While central Myanmar was dealing with earthquake damage, the military council conducted airstrikes and artillery attacks on Mrauk-U and Kyaukphyu townships in Rakhine State, resulting in the death of three civilians including a Buddhist monk and injuries to seven others. On March 31 at around 8 PM, the military council’s air force conducted an airstrike on Mrauk-U township, killing 66-year-old U Aung Kyaw Zan when a cluster bomb struck the Central Market Ward, according to local residents.
Additionally, on March 31 at approximately 9 AM, the military council’s navy vessel fired three artillery shells at Zin Chaung village in Kyaukphyu township. The attack killed 32-year-old Venerable Adicca and 30-year-old U Ba Gyan. The injured include 74-year-old Venerable Zanita, 12-year-old novice monk Shin Dhamma Nanda, 45-year-old U Maung Htun Myae, 50-year-old Daw Than Than Aye, 31-year-old Daw Phyo Phyo Win, 55-year-old Daw Thein Han Nu, and 16-year-old Ma Khin Mya Aye. The artillery attack also caused damage to a monastery and several homes in Zin Chaung village.
While the country was still grieving from the March 28 earthquake that caused deaths, injuries, and extensive damage to buildings in Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Shan, Magway, and Bago regions, the military council continued its aerial attacks in Rakhine State. On March 30 around 7 PM, the Danyawaddy Navy conducted a drone strike on Kulaba village in Kyaukphyu township, destroying several homes and a shop. In the aftermath of the earthquake, the military council also conducted airstrikes on Kan Gyi village and Naung Lin village in Naung Cho township, Lay War village in KNU Brigade 7 territory in Karen State, Nwe Khway village in Chaung-U township in Sagaing Region, and villages in Pyay township.
