Airstrikes kill another eight civilians in Rakhine State after 33 die in strikes on Mrauk-U hospital

Eight civilians were killed and at least 10 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on Ngalonesu village of Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, on Thursday, the Arakan Army (AA) reported. Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, is contested between the AA and regime forces. 

A Kyaukphyu resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that two of the eight killed were people who had fled their homes due to fighting between AA and regime forces and were living at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp. Two bombs were dropped on Ngalonesu village, according to the AA. 

These airstrikes on Kyaukphyu come one day after at least 33 civilians were killed and 76 others were injured by airstrikes on the Mrauk-U General Hospital. Mrauk-U Township, located 88-229 miles (142-369 km) northeast and south of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, was seized by the AA in February 2024. 

The National Unity Government (NUG), a group representing elected lawmakers ousted in the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, condemned the airstrikes on the hospital in Mrauk-U, vowing to seek justice for all the victims of the regime’s crimes.