40 civilians killed in an airstrike by the Myanmar military. Myanmar’s military has launched an airstrike on a community in the Rakhine state, which borders Bangladesh. According to the AFP news agency, at least 40 civilians have been reported deceased, with 20 injured. On Thursday, a local rescue worker and an ethnic minority armed group confirmed the airstrike to AFP.
40 civilians killed in an airstrike: Recently, tensions in Rakhine had risen. The Arakan Army (AA), an armed insurgency group, had gained control of the state and was fighting the military junta to keep control of the province. Last year, the Arakan Army took over vast portions of the state. The rebels have already cut off communication between the capital, Sittwe, and the rest of the state.
Following the 2021 military coup, Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her civilian administration were deposed. Since then, a widespread armed insurrection against the junta has broken out across the country. The war in Rakhine lies at the heart of this violent rebellion.
Regarding the tensions in Rakhine state, Arakan Army spokeswoman Khine Thu Kha stated, “At 1:20 PM on Wednesday, a bomb attack was carried out by military aircraft on Kyauk Ni Myao town on Ramree Island in Rakhine. The bombing started a fire in the region, destroying more than 500 homes. According to initial accounts, the military’s attack killed 40 civilians and injured another 20.
A member of the local rescue squad told AFP that the junta’s attack killed 41 people and injured 52 more. Speaking on the condition of anonymity for security concerns, the rescuer stated, “Due to the difficult transportation situation, we are unable to send medical assistance to them at this time.” Furthermore, we do not have sufficient betadine or methylated spirit.”
Following the junta’s attack, footage from the region showed stunned neighbors wandering through the burned remnants. The bombing left craters in the earth and harmed the vegetation. Many structures had their walls demolished.
AFP attempted to contact the junta administration for comment on the airstrike in Rakhine. However, the French news agency said that despite phone calls, there was no response.
It is worth mentioning that the United Nations reported last week that the ongoing fighting in Myanmar has displaced over 3.5 million people, 1.5 million more than the previous year. The UN has warned that the problem could intensify this year. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that by 2025, more than one-third of the country’s population, or around 19.9 million people, may require humanitarian assistance.
40 civilians killed in an airstrike…40 civilians killed in an airstrike…..40 civilians killed in an airstrike
