Post by : Meena Ariff

An airstrike that obliterated a significant hospital in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has ignited worldwide condemnation, with the United Nations expressing concerns that this incident may qualify as a war crime. UN human rights chief Volker Türk has called for an immediate, independent probe, highlighting the urgency of addressing the escalating violence in Myanmar.

The attack took place at the Mrauk U General Hospital late Wednesday, as reported by the Arakan Army, which is currently involved in intense conflicts with the ruling military junta. Spokesperson Khine Thu Kha stated that the hospital was purposefully bombed from a military aircraft, resulting in severe damage and numerous casualties.

Images released by local humanitarian worker Wai Hun Aung depicted utter destruction—collapsed buildings, twisted metal beams, and bodies among the rubble. While Reuters has not verified these images, eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene with flames consuming the hospital shortly after the explosions, prompting rapid relocation of survivors and healthcare personnel to safer locations.

A 23-year-old local who arrived on the scene after the blasts recounted the overwhelming devastation, recalling the sight of flames engulfing the compound and the multitude of critically injured individuals.

The military junta, which governs Myanmar’s air force, has intensified its aerial operations throughout rebel-held territories this year. Independent monitors cite over 2,100 air strikes from January to late November, exceeding the total for the previous year.

The U.S. State Department has denounced the airstrike as “deeply disturbing,” urging the junta to cease hostilities, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, liberate political prisoners, and engage in dialogue with opposition factions, emphasizing that these steps are crucial for stability within the Indo-Pacific region.

Myanmar has been embroiled in continuous conflict since the military coup in 2021 that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government. Armed resistance has grown alongside the Arakan Army, and since a ceasefire broke down in 2023, the Arakan Army has gained control over most of Rakhine state—an area larger than Belgium, according to independent analysts.

Although Mrauk U has remained under Arakan Army control for over a year without major confrontations, local organizations warn that civilians still face risks because of the junta's heightened air operations nationwide.

#Global News