Recent military airstrikes in western Burma have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 members of the Rohingya minority, including children, according to local media reports. The airstrikes, which occurred early on Monday morning, targeted the village of Thada in Rakhine state, leaving another 25 individuals wounded.
The U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Myanmar, condemning all forms of violence and emphasizing the need for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access.
Since the military's takeover in February 2021, there have been 1,652 airstrikes resulting in the deaths of 936 civilians and injuries to 878 individuals. Religious buildings, schools, and medical facilities have also been damaged in these attacks.
The Rohingya minority in Burma has faced persecution for years, with many fleeing to refugee camps in Bangladesh following a brutal military campaign in 2017. The recent airstrikes in Thada village have further exacerbated the situation, with reports indicating that children and individuals who had fled fighting in nearby areas were among the casualties.
The Arakan Army, an armed group seeking autonomy for the Rakhine ethnic group, has been engaged in conflict with the military government, leading to an increase in airstrikes in the region. The U.N. has raised concerns about the impact of the conflict on civilians and the displacement of populations in Rakhine state.
The ongoing violence in Burma underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of vulnerable populations in the region.
