Military government air strikes reported killing 17 people in western Myanmar

Myanmar Air Strike Kills at Least 17 People, Injures 14 Others in Rakhine Village Market

A military air strike in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuries to 14 others, according to local media reports. The strike occurred on Tuesday in Yoengu village, which is located approximately 33 kilometers northeast of Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine state.

The Democratic Voice of Burma reported that women and children were among those killed in the attack. The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic Rakhine armed group fighting the Myanmar military, stated that 17 “innocent civilians” were killed, including three children, and 15 people were wounded in the strike.

The village was captured by the AA in March 2024. Pyae Phyo Naing, chairman of the Ponnagyun Youths Association, described the scene as “bad”, with four or five buildings burned down. He also reported that some people were crying and many dead bodies were scattered over the area.

Rakhine state has been a region of conflict since the 2021 military coup, which led to widespread protests and a nationwide rebellion. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and approximately 3.6 million people displaced, according to the United Nations. The western coastal state is also subject to regular air strikes and a military blockade.

The World Food Programme warned last year that the conflict and recent cuts to international aid have driven a “dramatic rise in hunger and malnutrition” in Rakhine state.

Source: Al Jazeera