New Delhi: A deadly airstrike by Myanmar’s military junta targeted a public hospital in Mrauk-U township, located in the Rakhine state of western Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 people and injuries to around 80 others.
The attack, carried out on Wednesday night, struck a facility under the control of the Arakan Army, a local ethnic armed group. According to local sources, the hospital, which serves civilians in Mrauk-U, was hit by bombs dropped from fighter jets at approximately 9:13 PM.
The casualties included both patients and medical staff, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian disaster. Rakhine’s senior defense official, Wai Htun Aung, confirmed that the strike involved two bombs, which destroyed significant portions of the hospital infrastructure.
This airstrike comes amid escalating tensions in Rakhine, where Myanmar’s military has intensified aerial attacks since the start of the internal conflict. The military junta’s campaign has reportedly increased in both frequency and intensity over the past few years, particularly targeting areas under the control of ethnic armed organizations such as the Arakan Army.
Local online media outlets in Rakhine have posted graphic photographs and videos showing the damaged hospital buildings and destroyed medical equipment. The destruction has severely impacted the availability of healthcare in the region, leaving survivors without immediate medical care and putting additional strain on nearby facilities.
Human rights organizations have strongly condemned the airstrike, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians and medical infrastructure in conflict zones.
The UN and other international bodies have repeatedly expressed concern over Myanmar’s aerial operations in ethnic minority regions, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the growing number of displaced populations.
The Mrauk-U hospital airstrike is one of the deadliest attacks on healthcare facilities in Myanmar in recent years, reflecting the intensifying conflict in Rakhine state. Observers warn that continued military operations risk further civilian casualties and the destruction of essential public services in the region.
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