Myanmar airstrike toll hits 50 as families gather dead

On Tuesday, families in Kyauktaw, a riverside commercial hub in western Myanmar, searched for victims following a military airstrike that killed 50 people, one of the deadliest strikes in the ongoing civil war. The attack occurred around midday on Monday, leaving one witness, Aung Chay, deeply saddened by the loss of his brother-in-law.

The Myanmar military has not commented on the incident, though its death toll was initially reported as 30. Aid worker Wai Hun Aung reported that the death toll has risen to 50, citing that 58 people were injured, though the final count may be higher due to bodies lost in fires after the bombing.

The Arakan Army, an ethnic rebel force controlling the area, confirmed that those killed were innocent civilians, including market vendors, shoppers, and cargo loaders. Families gathered at a makeshift pavilion to claim the bodies, which were covered in thin plastic sheets or placed in plywood coffins. Another local volunteer gave the same death toll, requesting anonymity for security reasons.

The market and adjacent bridge had become a bustling center of trade since the civil war began in Myanmar following a military coup in 2021. Rakhine state has been among the worst-affected areas of the conflict, with limited access to the rest of the country. Su Mon, a senior analyst at conflict monitor ACLED, noted that only ten airstrikes have resulted in more than 30 reported deaths since 2022, with Rakhine experiencing the most significant impact.

Local analysts suggest that the military's focus on Rakhine is driven by its desire to regain control of the region, which has seen numerous atrocities against civilians, including attacks on schools, monasteries, and religious festivals. The Myanmar military's air wing is accused of these atrocities, potentially constituting war crimes.

The military has made an offensive this month, yet it has not achieved battlefield success. According to UN data, nearly half a million people are displaced in Rakhine due to the conflict, and more than 100,000 have been killed since the 2021 military coup.