Sept. 29 – The United Nations voiced strong condemnation Tuesday after reports that a Myanmar military airstrike in Kyauktaw town, on the border with Bangladesh, killed 50 people and wounded at least 58, many critically. The strike, described by the Arakan Army as targeting a crowded market of over 200 shops, underscores the perilous conditions facing civilians in Rakhine state.
UN calls for immediate end to violence
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a briefing in New York that the attack “brings that reality into sharp focus.” He said Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemns the attacks and calls on all parties to end the violence immediately, to protect civilians and comply with their obligations under international law.”
Casualties and community impact
Local aid worker Wai Hun Aung confirmed the death toll of 50 and reported at least 58 injuries, including women and children. Photographs shared on social media showed bodies recovered from the market area, where members of Rakhine, Rohingya, Hindu, Daingnet and other communities shop daily.
The Kyauktaw strike is the deadliest incident in Rakhine since a December hospital bombing that killed at least 30 people. Arakan Army spokesperson Khine Thu Kha accused the military of deliberately targeting densely populated markets, schools, civilians and residential buildings.
Myanmar’s broader conflict
Myanmar has been engulfed in a nationwide civil war since the 2021 coup, with the Arakan Army and other armed groups fighting the military. The United Nations estimates the conflict has claimed around 100,000 lives and displaced over 3.5 million people.
While the Myanmar government has not responded to requests for comment, it has previously claimed it exercises “maximum restraint” to avoid civilian harm. The UN, however, warned that continuing violence makes safe return of refugees and displaced persons impossible at this time.
International response and humanitarian access
Guterres urged all sides to allow safe, sustained and unimpeded access for UN and other aid workers to deliver humanitarian assistance. A statement from UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk noted that casualty numbers are expected to rise as more information emerges.
Malaysia, in coordination with Myanmar, began a repatriation plan on Tuesday, deporting around 1,500 Myanmar nationals. Rights groups have condemned the move, questioning its voluntariness.
Outlook
Khine Thu Kha warned the Arakan Army will use all available means to retaliate against the military and anyone involved in the bombing of civilians. The UN’s call for an immediate cease‑fire and protection of civilians remains urgent as the conflict shows no sign of abating.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
