At least 34 people were killed and dozens more injured after the Myanmar military launched air strikes on a hospital in Mrauk-U town, Rakhine state, on Wednesday night. The attack has sparked outrage as the country faces escalating conflict ahead of its first post-coup elections.
The hospital, located in an area controlled by the Arakan Army, was severely damaged during the strikes. According to the Arakan Army health department, 10 patients died instantly, with many others critically injured. Spokesperson Khaing Thukha condemned the action, calling it a “vicious assault targeting civilian places” and demanding accountability from the Myanmar military.
Social media posts from the scene showed collapsed roofs, broken beds, and debris scattered across the hospital, highlighting the devastation caused by the attack.
The conflict in Myanmar has intensified since the military seized power in 2021, triggering a civil war that has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions. In recent months, the junta has increased air strikes to reclaim territory from ethnic armies. Reports indicate the Myanmar military has also used motorized paragliders to drop bombs on opposition-held areas. Earlier this year, more than 20 civilians were killed when a military paraglider targeted a religious festival.
The junta has received advanced weapons from countries like China and Russia, aiding its efforts to regain ground in several regions.
Political tensions are rising ahead of Myanmar’s general election on 28 December, promoted by the junta as a step toward stability. Critics, including UN human rights expert Tom Andrews, have dismissed the vote as a “sham election,” citing arrests of political dissidents, activists, and anti-junta campaigners.
Opposition groups, including ethnic armies, have vowed to boycott the polls, and recent reports indicate election candidates have been detained in regions like Magway.
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The deadly air strike on a civilian hospital underscores growing concerns over the Myanmar military’s tactics and the humanitarian crisis facing the country.
