A humanitarian catastrophe has unfolded in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, where a nighttime airstrike by the military has demolished a hospital in the Arakan Army-controlled Mrauk-U township. The assault on Wednesday evening killed 34 individuals, including patients and healthcare workers, and left approximately 80 people injured. This hospital was the last resort for healthcare for many in the region, as most other facilities have ceased operations due to relentless fighting. Doctors had recently revived services at the Mrauk-U facility, seized by the Arakan Army (AA) last February, to serve the severely affected population.
Details indicate the attack occurred at 9:13 pm, with a military jet dropping two bombs. The recovery ward was directly hit, and a second explosion near the main building caused extensive collateral damage. Rescue efforts on Thursday morning confirmed the grim death toll. Images from the site reveal the extent of the destruction: rubble, damaged medical supplies, and destroyed personal vehicles, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the strike.
The loss of this hospital represents a severe blow to healthcare accessibility in Mrauk-U and surrounding areas. The Arakan Army holds sway in this part of Rakhine, a state that has been a focal point of ethnic conflict and displacement for years, particularly following the 2017 crisis involving the Rohingya population. The AA’s territorial gains have further complicated the security and humanitarian situation.
This bombing occurs within a broader context of escalating conflict across Myanmar. The military regime has intensified its attacks on resistance groups, with the upcoming elections facing widespread criticism. The National Unity Government and various international observers have strongly condemned the hospital attack, demanding an end to the junta’s atrocities and urging for humanitarian aid and justice for the victims.
