Myanmar Junta Kills 12 Civilians, Including a Newborn, in Airstrikes on Hospital and Bridge in Arakan
On November 1, 2026, Myanmar's military junta carried out a series of airstrikes targeting four townships in Arakan: Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Kyaukphyu, and Virathani (formerly Pauktaw). The attacks struck civilian infrastructure, including a bridge, a temporary medical clinic, a maternity ward, and residential areas, killing at least 12 civilians, including a newborn baby, and injuring 32 others.
At approximately 5:25 p.m., a junta fighter jet bombed a bridge connecting Wa Taung and Pan Pe Chaung villages in Kyauktaw Township. The attack killed seven civilians travelling across the bridge and injured seven others. The bridge was damaged, while motorcycles, motorbikes with sidecars, and several nearby civilian houses were also destroyed or damaged.
Just two minutes later, at around 5:27 p.m., two junta fighter jets dropped four cluster bombs on a temporary medical clinic, a maternity ward, and surrounding areas near Ngwe Taung Pauk in Thammaraza Ward, Mrauk-U Township. The attack killed five civilians, including a newborn baby, and injured nine others. Several medical staff members were also wounded, while clinic buildings and nearby residential houses sustained damage.
Earlier, at approximately 5:00 p.m., two junta fighter jets bombed Sane Min Pyin village in Kyaukphyu Township. The attack injured 11 civilians, including five women and six men, and damaged several residential buildings.
At around 3:58 a.m. on the same day, a junta Y-12 aircraft bombed Virathani town and Ywar Chaung Gyi village. The airstrikes injured five civilians, including three women and two men, and damaged several houses.
According to information released by the Arakan Army's News and Information Department, the junta's airstrikes across the four townships on November 1 killed 12 civilians and injured 32 others. The victims included children of different ages, while the attacks also caused damage to civilian homes, public infrastructure, and medical facilities.
The simultaneous targeting of a bridge used by civilians and a medical facility providing treatment to local residents raises serious concerns about the protection of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure during the ongoing conflict in Arakan. The reported use of cluster bombs against a medical facility and maternity ward further highlights the risks faced by patients, medical personnel, and vulnerable civilians.
The attacks demonstrate the continuing danger posed by aerial operations to civilian life and essential services across Arakan, where residents already face significant humanitarian and security challenges.
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