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Airstrike on Myanmar Hospital Kills Dozens
An overnight military airstrike in Mrauk U township in Myanmar’s Rakhine state destroyed a major hospital and left at least 34 people dead. Those killed included patients, medical workers and civilians who had taken shelter inside the facility. Around 70 to 80 others were injured in the attack, which took place late on December 10.
Hospital Reduced to Rubble
Witnesses reported that multiple bombs were dropped on the hospital complex, with one strike hitting the recovery ward directly. Large parts of the building collapsed, and nearby structures and vehicles were also damaged. Rescue teams struggled through the night to pull survivors from the debris as the number of casualties continued to rise.
Conflict Escalation Behind the Strike
The area is controlled by the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group that has been fighting Myanmar’s military. Rakhine state has witnessed some of the most violent clashes in recent months, with repeated airstrikes forcing many hospitals and clinics to shut down. The destroyed hospital was one of the few remaining medical centres still functioning in the conflict zone.
Growing International Concern
The attack has intensified global criticism of Myanmar’s military, with humanitarian organisations warning that strikes on medical facilities violate international law. Observers say the incident highlights the worsening civilian toll in the country’s prolonged conflict, which has continued since the 2021 coup.
