Myanmar junta airstrike destroys fourth hospital in Falam township as attacks on healthcare escalate

Mizzima

The Myanmar junta launched an airstrike on the night of 11 January, completely destroying Thibaul Station Hospital in Falam Township, Chin State. The facility, located on the India-Myanmar border trade road, is the fourth hospital to be levelled by the military in the township during the ongoing conflict, according to the Chin National Organization/Chin National Defence Force (CNO/CNDF).

The airstrike targeted Thibaul Station Hospital, approximately 40 miles from Falam, at around 9:20 pm on 11 January.

“Targeting a hospital, which is not a military target, constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. The junta’s repeated attacks on hospitals elsewhere further demonstrate their brutality,” Salai Timmy Htut, spokesperson for the CNO/CNDF, told Mizzima.

Thibaul Station Hospital, built in 2014-15 at a cost of 500 million kyats (US$238,000), was reportedly completely destroyed in the bombing.

While no casualties were reported in the attack, several nearby residential houses were damaged, according to Salai Timmy Htut.

During the battle for Falam, the junta bombed and destroyed Falam General Hospital, Lumte Station Hospital, and Khaunglwun Station Hospital. Thibaul Station Hospital is the fourth to be destroyed, Salai Timmy Htut added.

Prior to the military coup, Thibaul village hosted a military camp and police checkpoint. The CNDF captured and occupied the site on 15 November 2023, however, there have been no military deployments or activities at the location since the battle for Falam began.

The junta has been launching attacks in Falam Township with two columns. Last night, a minor clash occurred near Khunli village, 10 miles from Falam, where the junta also conducted aerial bombings, the CNDF spokesperson said.

The military junta has been targeting and bombing other hospitals across the country, including Wammathu Hospital and Matupi Hospital in Mindat, in Chin State, and Mrauk-U Hospital in Rakhine State.