Myanmar Airstrike Strikes Detention Camp, Killing 28 Including Children

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An airstrike conducted by Myanmar's military has reportedly killed 28 people, including nine children, and injured 25 others at a temporary detention camp in Rakhine state. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Mrauk-U Township, where family members of soldiers from the junta were being held by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority armed group.

The AA claimed responsibility for apprehending these individuals during conflicts in the region, stating they were in the process of planning their release when the airstrike occurred. Among the casualties was a two-year-old boy, with the majority of the deceased being women and children, according to the AA's Telegram post.

Photos shared by the AA depicted the aftermath, showing bodies covered with white sheets and grieving individuals nearby. Efforts to reach the military junta for comments on the attack have gone unanswered.

The airstrike is part of a larger conflict in Myanmar, which has seen significant violence following the military's coup in 2021 that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Over the past year, Rakhine has experienced increased hostilities, with the AA gaining control over many areas. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about deteriorating conditions in Rakhine, with warnings of potential famine affecting the region due to ongoing fighting and economic disruption.

The UN has reported that more than 3.5 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, indicating a growing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

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