Myanmar Military Rejects Civilian Casualty Claims

(MENAFN) Myanmar’s armed forces have denied responsibility for the deaths of civilians in a recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State, which resulted in over 30 fatalities, according to state-controlled media on Saturday.

The military junta stated that the general hospital in Mrauk-U, situated in western Rakhine near the Bangladesh border, had been officially closed by the government in July 2024.

This closure followed the Arakan Army (AA) taking control of the area after security forces withdrew amid intense clashes, as reported by a media outlet.

"The AA terrorists took shelter in that hospital and established their camp, taking advantage of the hospital’s appearance for cover," the junta’s statement claimed.

The Arakan Army (AA), founded in 2009, is a Buddhist ethnic insurgent faction operating in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

The military confirmed it had targeted the hospital during the airstrike, asserting that it was being utilized by the AA and allied groups as a strategic base.

"Those killed or injured were not civilians, but terrorists and their supporters," the junta maintained.

On Wednesday, at least 33 individuals were killed and 76 wounded, including 27 in critical condition, after the military bombed a public hospital in Mrauk-U township.

The United Nations condemned the bombing on Thursday. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq stated: "The World Health Organization reports that this is the 67th verified attack on health facilities in Myanmar this year."

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