By Shawn Naing
(Reuters) – Dozens of people were killed in an air strike by Myanmar's military government in western Rakhine state this week, the United Nations said, as the civil war in the Southeast Asian country approaches its fourth year.
The shadow civilian government and the Arakan Army, an ethnic militia based in Rakhine and fighting for the region's autonomy, reported that the attack killed dozens.
The junta attacked Kyauk Nyi Maw village in Yanpi township on Wednesday afternoon, destroying about 500 homes and killing more than 40 people, according to the National Unity Government and a UN statement issued late Friday.
Reuters could not immediately verify the reports. An army spokesman did not return phone calls seeking comment. The military council rejects accusations of committing atrocities against civilians, saying it is fighting “terrorists.”
The Arakan Army published the names of 26 Muslim villagers it said were killed and 12 others wounded in the attack.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, igniting mass protests that evolved into a widespread armed insurgency on multiple fronts.
The UN statement urged all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Blood Money Campaign, a coalition of Myanmar activists working to cut off revenues to the junta, urged international governments to impose swift sanctions on entities that supply it with jet fuel.
“Air strikes will only truly end when this support stops,” said Mullan, the blood money campaign spokesman.
