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At least 49 dead after airstrike near market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- A Myanmar military airstrike near a market in Kyauktaw township, Rakhine state, killed at least 49 people and wounded 58, according to the Arakan Army and rescue officials.
- The attack targeted a busy wholesale market and is part of ongoing military operations against pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups since the 2021 coup.
- The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group seeking autonomy for Rakhine, condemned the airstrike and vowed retaliatory measures against those responsible.
- The military has not commented on the incident but has previously claimed it targets only legitimate military sites and labels resistance groups as terrorists.
- The conflict in Rakhine has intensified since late 2023, causing severe trade restrictions and worsening food shortages, with previous airstrikes also causing significant civilian casualties.
