Dozens of people have, according to the United Nations, been killed in an air strike by Myanmar’s military government in the western state of Rakhine this week. This incident is coming as the Southeast Asia nation’s civil war approaches its fourth year.
The civilian shadow government and the Arakan Army, (an ethnic militia based in Rakhine fighting for the autonomy of the region, also reported the attack had killed dozens.
The junta stormed the village of Kyauk Ni Maw village of Yanbye township on Wednesday afternoon, destroying about 500 homes and killing over 40 people, according to the National Unity Government and a U.N. statement released late on Friday.
Reuters had, at the time of filing this report, not verified the reports and the junta had also rejected accusations of committing atrocities against civilians, remarking that it was combating “terrorists”.
The Arakan Army for it part, had published the names of 26 Muslim villagers it claimed were killed and the 12 others injured in the attack.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, sparking mass protests that developed into a massive armed rebellion on several fronts.
A U.N. statement has urged all parties to stick to their obligations under international humanitarian law.
