Myanmar hospital strike in Mrauk-U kills 31 amid civil war
Myanmar hospital strike in Mrauk-U kills 31 amid civil war
An air strike on Mrauk-U's general hospital kills at least 31 and wounds 68, underscoring the brutal toll of Myanmar's civil war as the junta advances its election plans.
A Myanmar military air strike hit the general hospital in Mrauk-U, western Rakhine state, killing at least 31 people and wounding 68, according to on-site aid workers who described the scene as terrible. The attack occurred around 9 p.m. local time, leaving wards damaged and patients and staff scrambling to safety. At least 20 bodies were visible outside the hospital, and rescue teams labored to reach the wounded and transfer them to nearby facilities.
The assault comes amid a broader civil conflict in Myanmar, with the Arakan Army and other ethnic minority groups resisting the junta’s rule. Rakhine state has been a focal point of fighting, and authorities have struggled to maintain control in areas contested by rebel groups. The military has scheduled elections beginning December 28, touting the vote as an off‑ramp to fighting, but rebels have pledged to block the vote in territory they hold, complicating any path toward a peace process.
International humanitarian observers have repeatedly urged all parties to protect civilians and medical facilities, condemning attacks on hospitals as violations of international law. The latest strike in Mrauk-U adds to a grim toll that has displaced thousands and strained aid deliveries in western Myanmar.
Cover image source: Myanmar junta air strike on hospital kills 31: on-site aid worker 🔗
