Myanmar airstrike: At least 49 killed near market in Arakan Army-held area of Rakhine
Myanmar Rakhine Military Airstrike: Myanmar's military allegedly bombed a market area in Arakan Army-held Kyauktaw, killing dozens and wounding many more.
In this photo provided by Wai Hun Aung, smoke rises from a market after the area was allegedly hit by the military's airstrike in Kyauktaw township in Rakhine state, Myanmar. (Photo: AP)
Myanmar Airstrike: A Myanmar military air strike near a market in rebel-held territory killed at least 49 people and injured 58 others on Monday, according to the rebel group and a rescue official who spoke to The Associated Press (AP).
The strike hit Kyauktaw township in western Rakhine state, about 340km (210 miles) west of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. The area is controlled by the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic armed group. AP said it could not independently confirm details of the attack.
In a statement issued early on Tuesday, the Arakan Army said a fighter jet dropped two bombs near a local market at about noon. It said the dead included vendors, shoppers and people passing by, and that 22 of the injured were in a critical condition.
In this photo provided by Wai Hun Aung, a damaged section of a bridge is seen after a market in an adjacent area was allegedly hit by the military’s airstrike in Kyauktaw township in Rakhine state, Myanmar. (Photo: AP)
What the rescue official and the rebels said
Wai Hun Aung, a senior rescue official in Rakhine, confirmed the casualty figures to AP, citing rescue workers at the scene. He said the market was the main wholesale centre in the region, with traders and shoppers coming from across the state. “This is one of the most severe airstrikes in Rakhine,” he said.
Photos and videos on social media showed burning buildings, damaged vehicles and a nearby bridge partly destroyed.
The Arakan Army said it would take “effective retaliatory measures soon” against those it holds responsible. The military did not comment straight away. It has said before that it strikes only legitimate military targets, and it accuses resistance groups of terrorism.
In this photo provided by Wai Hun Aung, a damaged motorcycle is seen on a bridge after a market in an adjacent area was allegedly hit by the military’s airstrike in Kyauktaw township in Rakhine state, Myanmar. (Photo: AP)
The attack is the latest in a series of air strikes on pro-democracy resistance forces and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The country has been in turmoil since the military removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government on 1 February 2021. After security forces used deadly force on peaceful protests, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large areas of the country are now in conflict.
The Arakan Army is the armed wing of a movement that wants autonomy for Rakhine’s ethnic minority from the central government. It began an offensive in Rakhine in November 2023. Since then it has taken a key regional military headquarters and 14 of the state’s 17 townships.
Also read
The military has placed tight limits on trade routes since the fighting grew, which has made food shortages worse. In December, a military air strike on a hospital in Rakhine’s Mrauk-U township killed at least 34 people and injured 80.
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments.
A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences.
Experience
Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting.
At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways.
Expertise
Her core areas of reporting include:
• Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information.
• Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments.
• Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities.
Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
Share
In this photo provided by Wai Hun Aung, smoke rises from a market after the area was allegedly hit by the military's airstrike in Kyauktaw township in Rakhine state, Myanmar. (Photo: AP) 
