Airstrike in Myanmar Claims Lives of Women and Children at Detention Camp

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A recent airstrike by Myanmar's military has resulted in the deaths of 28 individuals, including nine children, in a detention camp located in Rakhine state, according to the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group engaged in conflict with the military regime. The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon in Mrauk-U Township, where family members of junta soldiers were being held.

The AA reported 25 additional injuries from the bombing and stated that the victims were primarily women and children, emphasizing that they had planned to release the detainees prior to the airstrike. Following the incident, distressing images were shared on social media, showing bodies covered in white sheets, with mourners present at the scene.

The military junta, which has faced ongoing resistance since its 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, has been criticized for its use of air and artillery strikes targeting civilian populations. This latest incident raises questions regarding the military's awareness of the camp's status and whether the strike was a mistake or intentional.

The situation in Rakhine state remains tense, as fighting has escalated in recent months, contributing to a broader humanitarian crisis in Myanmar where over 3.5 million people have been displaced due to ongoing conflict.

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