Myanmar Junta Air Strike on Hospital Kills 31, Wounds 68

Mrauk-U: A devastating air strike by the Myanmar military on a hospital in western Rakhine state has resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people, with 68 others injured, according to an on-site aid worker. The attack occurred on Wednesday evening, targeting the general hospital in Mrauk-U, an area largely controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority separatist group.

The AA's health department reported that 10 hospital patients were killed instantly in the strike, which happened around 9 pm local time. The military has been increasing air strikes year-on-year since the start of Myanmar's civil war, following the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The attack comes as the military prepares for elections scheduled to begin on December 28, which rebels have pledged to block in territories they control.

Photo: AFP