Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a tragic escalation of violence, a Myanmar military air strike struck a hospital in the western town of Mrauk-U, Rakhine state, killing at least 31 people and injuring dozens more, local aid workers reported on Thursday. The attack comes as the military junta intensifies its offensive ahead of national elections scheduled to begin later this month.

Aid worker Wai Hun Aung, who witnessed the aftermath of the bombing, described the scene as "terrible," confirming that at least 31 people had died, with 68 more wounded and the toll expected to rise. Around 20 shrouded bodies were visible outside the hospital following the attack, highlighting the devastating impact on patients and medical staff.

Rakhine state has long been a center of conflict, with much of the territory under the control of the Arakan Army, an ethnic minority rebel group active well before the military seized power in the 2021 coup. The Arakan Army, which has become one of the strongest opposition groups in Myanmar’s civil war, controls nearly all of Rakhine’s 17 townships except three. Despite its strength, the group’s operations remain largely confined to its home state, bordered by the Bay of Bengal to the west and mountainous jungles to the north.

The junta has argued that elections beginning on December 28 will restore stability, but rebels have vowed to disrupt voting in areas under their control. Observers, including the United Nations, have criticized the military-run elections as deeply flawed, while Beijing has voiced support for the vote, framing it as a measure to restore order.

The Arakan Army’s health department reported that at least ten hospital patients were killed immediately during the air strike. The group, while a formidable force against the junta, has faced accusations of committing atrocities, particularly against the Rohingya minority in the region. Meanwhile, the military’s blockade of Rakhine has intensified the humanitarian crisis, causing widespread hunger and malnutrition, according to the World Food Programme.

The air strike in Mrauk-U marks a severe escalation in Myanmar’s ongoing conflict, underlining the military’s increasing reliance on aerial attacks as it seeks to regain control over rebellious areas. Humanitarian organizations have called for urgent action to protect civilians and ensure access to medical care amid the escalating violence.

#Global News