A devastating airstrike carried out by Myanmar’s military has killed at least 31 people at a hospital in the western region of Rakhine state.
The attack, which took place on Wednesday evening, is part of a continued offensive by the junta as they seek to maintain control over areas held by rebel groups ahead of the country’s controversial December 28 elections.
An on-site aid worker, Wai Hun Aung, confirmed the horrific incident, reporting that the situation is “terrible” and that the death toll is expected to rise.
In addition to the 31 confirmed fatalities, 68 others were injured, and many of them are in critical condition. Aid workers are concerned that the number of casualties may increase as more bodies are discovered and those injured continue to suffer.
At least 20 bodies were visible outside the Mrauk-U General Hospital overnight, shrouded in cloths as workers tried to process the aftermath.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since the military coup in 2021, which overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, the military junta has launched a brutal crackdown against civilian protests, ethnic militias, and pro-democracy groups.
Human rights organizations have reported consistent airstrikes, massacres, and other war crimes committed by the military as they battle various resistance forces.
The military junta has also announced elections set to begin on December 28, calling the vote a potential “off-ramp” to end the violence. However, many ethnic militias and opposition groups have rejected the elections, pledging to block the polls in areas they control, which further fuels the violence and instability.
The military’s attacks, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and markets, are part of a broader effort to undermine the resistance and regain control over regions outside their power.
The attack on the hospital in Mrauk-U, a town near the border with Bangladesh, is another example of how the military’s airstrikes have targeted vital civilian infrastructure. Hospitals, in particular, have become symbolic targets, with many medical facilities being bombed or damaged during the ongoing conflict. In some areas, hospitals are the only lifeline for civilians caught in the crossfire of the war.
A spokesperson for the junta could not be reached for comment on the bombing, and it remains unclear whether the hospital was specifically targeted or caught in a broader military operation. Humanitarian organizations have called for immediate international intervention to protect civilians and medical facilities from further violence.
International outrage over the military’s tactics continues to grow, as Myanmar’s armed forces escalate their campaign against civilians. The United Nations and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the junta’s use of airstrikes against civilian targets, calling it a violation of international law.
The situation remains fluid as Myanmar’s military forces continue their push into rebel-held regions, making the prospects for peace and stability uncertain. The international community has urged Myanmar’s military to cease hostilities and engage in meaningful dialogue with opposition groups, but the junta has shown little willingness to negotiate.
The airstrike on Mrauk-U General Hospital is yet another tragic chapter in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. As the military presses on with its offensive and the country braces for elections that many see as a façade for continued military rule, the violence shows no signs of abating. The international community must respond with urgency to ensure the safety of civilians and medical facilities in Myanmar.
