Rebels report at least 33 dead in Myanmar
An air strike near a market in Rakhine State also reportedly injured 36 people, according to the Arakan Army.
At least 33 people were killed in an air strike in Kyauktaw, Myanmar, according to the Arakan Army. A local aid worker confirmed the same death toll, but Reuters could not independently verify the details.
The attack took place on Monday in Kyauktaw, a town in the north of Rakhine State. According to the Arakan Army, an armed movement that controls the area, a market and a nearby bridge were hit. The organisation says 33 people were killed and 36 injured.
A local aid worker, Wai Hun Aung, confirmed the reported number of casualties to Reuters. He said his team was working in the area and that the site was far from the current front lines. The aid worker said the victims were civilians. That characterisation has not been independently established.
Myanmar's government did not immediately respond to questions about the attack, according to Reuters. The military rulers have previously said that the army exercises maximum restraint to prevent civilian casualties. That has not established who carried out the attack, although the available reports attribute it to the army.
Myanmar has been in a protracted armed conflict since the military coup in February 2021. The army is fighting both pro-democracy resistance groups and ethnic armed organisations. The Arakan Army has captured large areas in Rakhine and governs parts of the territory there.
A UN investigative mechanism reported earlier this month that Myanmar's army is carrying out air strikes with increasing frequency and that civilians are often the victims. The UN also warned that the situation in Rakhine remains unsafe for all population groups and that humanitarian aid is being obstructed in many places.
The reports about Kyauktaw fit, according to Reuters, into a series of attacks with high numbers of civilian casualties, but the precise course of this attack remains unclear. No independently verified images or statements from international observers are available. The death toll could rise further, according to the Arakan Army.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Arakan Army and a local aid worker report at least 33 deaths and 36 injuries.
- Reuters could not independently verify the details.
- Myanmar has been in an armed conflict since 2021.
- The UN describes air strikes and obstructed humanitarian aid as recurring problems.
Left
Arguments The priority is protecting civilians, ensuring access for aid organisations and pursuing possible war crimes through international justice. Under this approach, the absence of full verification must not be a reason to delay humanitarian aid.
Values Human rights, civilian protection and international accountability.
Consequences More sanctions and investigations could put pressure on the rulers, but could also make aid work and diplomacy more difficult.
Centre
Arguments The facts should be independently investigated before responsibility is established legally. At the same time, neighbouring countries and UN organisations should continue helping the population and keep channels of communication open.
Values Establishing the truth, proportionality and humanitarian access.
Consequences A cautious approach prevents propaganda effects, but may appear slow to victims and aid workers.
Right
Arguments The international community should be cautious about drawing conclusions from conflict zones and should above all prevent armed groups from presenting their own information as established fact. Security and regional stability should be the guiding principles.
Values National sovereignty, order and evidence before intervention.
Consequences Greater restraint may limit escalation, but may also be perceived as passivity in the face of attacks on civilians.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The reporting is carefully attributed to the Arakan Army and a local aid worker. The uncertainty over responsibility and the exact numbers is explicitly included in the text.
- confirmed At least 33 people were killed and 36 injured in an air strike in Kyauktaw, according to local sources. — The death toll and number of injured are reported by the Arakan Army and an aid worker; Reuters notes that independent verification is lacking. source
- confirmed Kyauktaw is in Rakhine State. — Confirmed by Reuters and AP. source
- confirmed Myanmar has been in a civil war since the 2021 coup. — Background information from Reuters and AP. source
- confirmed The UN reports that civilians in Myanmar are often victims of air strikes. — Stated in the UN investigative mechanism's statement. source
Editor's note
The number of casualties is reported by two sources, but Reuters could not independently verify the attack. Responsibility is attributed to the army by the Arakan Army and local sources; the government did not immediately respond.Sources
- At least 33 people killed in western Myanmar airstrike, rebel group and aid worker say — Reuters via Internazionale
- Airstrike near a market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state kills 33 people — Associated Press
- Armed conflict and violence prevent a safe return to Rakhine State — Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „myanmar rakhine”
- AD — „myanmar rakhine”
- de Volkskrant — „myanmar rakhine”