More than 40 civilians, including children, have been killed in a military airstrike on Kyauk Ni Maw village in Ramree Township, controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), located in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State. The airstrike, which occurred on Wednesday, 8 January, has left many injured, and the death toll is expected to rise.
Local authorities report that at least 20 people including women, children, and the elderly were wounded in the attack. More than 500 houses were destroyed across the north-south and Manchaliya areas. The fire triggered by the bombing quickly spread to densely populated surrounding areas, further damaging homes and infrastructure.
Most of the residents of Kyauk Ni Maw had already taken refuge in the area due to ongoing clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the junta.
A local resident from Kyauk Ni Maw described the situation, saying, "The number of people injured is higher than the number of fatalities, but there is no medical equipment to treat them. The death toll could rise."
The Arakan Army, which controls Ramree township – an island off Myanmar's western coast – has been in control since 11 March last year. Although there was no war, the junta has been carrying out frequent airstrikes in the region.
Arakan Army spokesperson Khaing Thukha condemned the attack, calling it “cowardly” and a "brutal war crime," adding that the military’s use of airstrikes against civilians was a gross violation of international law. He reported that the airstrike occurred at around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday, with military aircraft bombing Kyauk Ni Maw township igniting fires that destroyed more than 500 homes.
The situation in Rakhine is part of the broader conflict that continues to destabilise Myanmar as both the military and various armed groups, including the AA, clash in multiple areas of the country.
