Dozens of people were killed in an airstrike by Myanmar‘s military government in Rakhine state earlier this week, according to the United Nations. The attack comes as the country’s civil war approaches its fourth year.
The civilian-led shadow government, the National Unity Government (NUG), and the Arakan Army—an ethnic militia advocating for Rakhine’s autonomy—also reported significant casualties.
On Wednesday afternoon, the junta targeted Kyauk Ni Maw village in Yanbye Township, destroying around 500 homes and killing over 40 people, the NUG and the U.N. stated in reports released on Friday.
Reuters could not immediately verify the reports. A spokesperson for the military did not answer phone calls seeking comment. The junta rejects accusations of committing atrocities against civilians, saying it is combating “terrorists”.
The Arakan Army released the names of 26 Muslim villagers it said were killed and 12 injured in the attack.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, igniting mass protests that evolved into a widespread armed rebellion on multiple fronts.
The U.N. statement urged all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Blood Money Campaign, a coalition of Myanmar activists working to cut off revenue to the junta, urged international governments to swiftly sanction entities supplying it with aviation fuel.
“Only when this support stops will the air strikes truly come to an end,” said Mulan, spokesperson for Blood Money Campaign who goes by one name.
Team BharatShakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
