Myanmar Military Air Strike on Hospital Claims Over 30 Lives

At least 34 individuals have lost their lives and numerous others sustained injuries following an air strike conducted by Myanmar's military on a hospital in Mrauk-U, Rakhine state, on Wednesday evening, according to local sources. Reports indicate that the hospital was situated in an area controlled by the Arakan Army, a prominent ethnic militia engaged in conflict with the military government.

Since the military took control of Myanmar in a coup in February 2021, the nation has experienced severe turmoil, with thousands of deaths and millions displaced as a result of the ensuing civil war. Recent months have seen a marked increase in air strikes by the military, aimed at reclaiming territory from various ethnic armed groups. Notably, the military has also employed paragliders to drop munitions on opposing forces.

While the Myanmar military has not issued a public statement regarding the attack, pro-military channels on Telegram have asserted that the air strikes were not intended to target civilian infrastructure. Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, condemned the military's actions, stating, "This is the latest vicious attack by the terrorist military targeting civilian places. The military must take responsibility for bombing civilians."

According to the health department of the Arakan Army, the strike occurred around 21:00 local time, resulting in the immediate deaths of ten patients and many others injured. Images purportedly from the scene have emerged on social media, depicting significant damage to the hospital, including missing roofs and debris scattered across the premises.

The military junta has been engaged in a prolonged and violent struggle against ethnic militias, having lost control over significant portions of the country at various times. However, a recent influx of military technology and equipment from countries such as China and Russia appears to have bolstered the junta's capabilities, enabling it to conduct extensive air campaigns against its adversaries.

Earlier in the year, a similar military operation resulted in the deaths of over 20 people when an army-operated paraglider dropped bombs on a crowd gathered for a religious festival. The ongoing conflict has severely curtailed civil liberties under the junta’s rule, with tens of thousands of political dissidents reportedly detained, according to human rights organisations.

The junta has announced plans for a general election on 28 December, promoting it as a means to restore political order. However, critics, including Tom Andrews, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, have denounced the election as a "sham," arguing that it will lack credibility and serve merely to legitimise the junta’s authority.

In the lead-up to the elections, the junta has reportedly apprehended civilians accused of undermining the electoral process. This includes an individual who allegedly disseminated anti-election messages on social media. Additionally, authorities have indicated that they are pursuing ten activists linked to an anti-election demonstration.

Ethnic armed groups and other opposition factions have publicly committed to boycotting the upcoming polls. Reports have emerged of at least one election candidate in the Magway Region being detained by anti-junta forces, further complicating the situation ahead of the elections.