11-1-2025 (YANGON) A military air strike has claimed dozens of lives in the western state of Rakhine, according to UN officials. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Kyauk Ni Maw village, marks one of the deadliest incidents in the region as the country’s civil war approaches its fourth year.
Local sources report that approximately 500 homes were destroyed when military forces targeted the village in Yanbye township. The National Unity Government, operating as Myanmar’s shadow administration, confirmed that the death toll has exceeded 40 civilians. The Arakan Army, a prominent ethnic militia fighting for regional autonomy, has identified 26 Muslim villagers among the deceased and documented 12 others who sustained injuries.
The military junta, which seized power in a February 2021 coup that ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has remained silent on the incident. When approached for comment, military spokespersons were unavailable. The regime consistently denies allegations of civilian targeting, maintaining that their operations exclusively target what they term “terrorists”.
This latest bloodshed has prompted renewed calls for international action. The Blood Money Campaign, a collective of Myanmar democracy activists, has intensified its demands for global sanctions against entities providing aviation fuel to the military government. “The cessation of these air strikes fundamentally depends on cutting off their fuel supply,” stated Mulan, the campaign’s spokesperson.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the incident, issuing a statement late Friday that urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. The attack underscores the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, where widespread armed resistance has emerged following the military takeover.
