Myanmar's Military Blamed for Hospital Bombing That Killed Dozens
A devastating airstrike on a hospital in the western state of Rakhine has killed at least 33 people, including medics, patients, and family members, according to witnesses and aid workers. The Myanmar military has acknowledged conducting the attack, but insists that those targeted were armed members of opposition groups and their supporters, not civilians.
The hospital, which provided emergency care, obstetrics, and surgical services in the area, was reportedly used as a base by ethnic Arakan Army and People's Defence Force rebels. However, witnesses and rebel groups have disputed this claim, saying that the victims were unarmed civilians.
The United Nations has condemned the attack, with UN rights chief Volker Turk calling it "in the strongest possible terms" and demanding an investigation into what he described as a "war crime." World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed outrage over the killing of at least 33 people, including health workers, patients, and family members.
The attack is part of a broader pattern of military strikes causing harm to civilians and civilian objects across Myanmar, which has been embroiled in conflict since the army took power in 2021. The fighting has devastated communities across the country, with many opponents of military rule taking up arms against the government.
The Arakan Army, which is seeking autonomy from Myanmar's central government, began its offensive in Rakhine in November 2023 and has seized a strategically important regional army headquarters and 14 of Rakhine's 17 townships. The military government has stepped up air strikes ahead of planned December 28 elections, which opponents charge will be neither free nor fair.
The Myanmar military's justification for the airstrike is disputed by many observers, who say that it may amount to a war crime. An investigation into the attack and those responsible is now underway, with rebel groups promising to cooperate fully with global organizations in pursuit of accountability and justice.
A devastating airstrike on a hospital in the western state of Rakhine has killed at least 33 people, including medics, patients, and family members, according to witnesses and aid workers. The Myanmar military has acknowledged conducting the attack, but insists that those targeted were armed members of opposition groups and their supporters, not civilians.
The hospital, which provided emergency care, obstetrics, and surgical services in the area, was reportedly used as a base by ethnic Arakan Army and People's Defence Force rebels. However, witnesses and rebel groups have disputed this claim, saying that the victims were unarmed civilians.
The United Nations has condemned the attack, with UN rights chief Volker Turk calling it "in the strongest possible terms" and demanding an investigation into what he described as a "war crime." World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed outrage over the killing of at least 33 people, including health workers, patients, and family members.
The attack is part of a broader pattern of military strikes causing harm to civilians and civilian objects across Myanmar, which has been embroiled in conflict since the army took power in 2021. The fighting has devastated communities across the country, with many opponents of military rule taking up arms against the government.
The Arakan Army, which is seeking autonomy from Myanmar's central government, began its offensive in Rakhine in November 2023 and has seized a strategically important regional army headquarters and 14 of Rakhine's 17 townships. The military government has stepped up air strikes ahead of planned December 28 elections, which opponents charge will be neither free nor fair.
The Myanmar military's justification for the airstrike is disputed by many observers, who say that it may amount to a war crime. An investigation into the attack and those responsible is now underway, with rebel groups promising to cooperate fully with global organizations in pursuit of accountability and justice.
I'm so sad for the victims and their families... 33 people killed including medics and patients? that's just unacceptable. the military's claim that those targeted were rebels doesn't add up at all, lots of ppl think it was a war crime 
and i don't blame them one bit. we need to hold those responsible accountable for this heinous act. meanwhile, 14 townships are under rebel control already... this situation is getting more and more complicated by the day 
... 33 people killed including medics and patients can't be just collateral damage like they said... i think the arakan army guys are telling the truth, the military didnt target them, its all about regime trying to silence opposition with violence 
... the world is watching now and we need to make sure accountability happens 
... tedros adhanom ghebreyesus saying war crime? i believe him, thats not a hyperbole... we shouldnt let our emotions get the best of us but we gotta stay strong for those 33 victims who didnt deserve this 
... anyway, back to Myanmar... 33 people killed in a hospital airstrike? That's just heartbreaking 
. I wonder what kind of coordination went into planning such an attack? Like, did they even care that there were civilians present? And those elections are coming up on Dec 28... does anyone think the military will actually hold free and fair ones? 
. Anyway, where was I? Ah yeah, Myanmar... just so sad that conflict is still going on there...
33 innocent lives lost 
.
. This hospital bombing is a total disaster 
. Like, come on guys, you can't even be bothered to tell the truth about what happened? The UN is right to call this out as a war crime 
. This is exactly why we need more transparency and accountability from these governments... not less 
the UN is right though, it does sound like a war crime to me. I mean we've seen reports of civilians being killed or displaced before but this one is straight up horrific. I'm hoping they get some justice for these victims and that the rebels can work with global orgs to make sure something like this doesn't happen again anytime soon.
Can we just take a deep breath and acknowledge that hospitals are not supposed to be bombed? Like, what's next? Schools for kids and their families? 
. Can't believe the Myanmar military would do this to civilians 
. The UN needs to take action ASAP 
#JusticeForRakhine #StopTheBloodshed #HumanRightsMatters
. Can't the government see how their actions are hurting innocent people? 
#RakhineDeservesBetter #PeaceForMyanmar
This attack is a war crime in my book 
#WHOstandsWithVictims #WarCrimeAlert