Myanmar’s military launched devastating air strikes on Kyauk Ni Maw, a village in the Ramree Island township of Rakhine State, killing more than 40 people and destroying about 500 homes, according to the United Nations.
This attack marks another tragic chapter in a country plagued by violence since the military seized power in 2021.
The UN’s statement, issued on Friday, confirmed that women and children were among the casualties. It highlighted the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict in Rakhine, which has seen a sharp escalation in recent weeks.
The situation has left civilians in an increasingly precarious position, with extreme risks to their safety, food insecurity, and the collapse of essential public services.
Images from the aftermath revealed the extent of the devastation.
Photographs showed residents wandering through what remained of their village — homes reduced to rubble, charred metal strewn across the ground, and trees stripped bare of their leaves. Survivors now face the grim reality of rebuilding their lives amidst these ruins.
The Arakan Army, a prominent ethnic armed group in the region, reported that 26 Muslim villagers were among the dead and that 12 others were injured. The group condemned the air strike, aligning with the UN in urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, Myanmar's military government, which has often dismissed allegations of civilian atrocities as propaganda, declined to comment on the incident.
Since the coup in 2021, Myanmar has been caught in a downward spiral of violence. Protests against the military takeover quickly evolved into an armed resistance, with various ethnic and rebel groups, including the Arakan Army, Karen National Union, and Kachin Independence Army, challenging the regime.
The military now faces opposition on multiple fronts, losing control over significant parts of the country.
The UN reiterated its call for unhindered humanitarian access to support the most vulnerable populations. Aid workers have struggled to deliver essential supplies, as the military's grip tightens and fighting intensifies.
The Blood Money Campaign, a coalition of Myanmar activists, has also called on international governments to impose sanctions on entities supplying aviation fuel to the military, arguing that such measures could help curb the devastating air strikes.
The ongoing conflict has led to widespread displacement. The UN recently reported that more than 3.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes — a sharp increase from the 1.5 million displaced just last year. For those caught in the crossfire, the situation remains dire, with no immediate end in sight.
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