Myanmar military airstrikes kill at least 15 civilians, including 12 in Rakhine State: Report - Anadolu Ajansı

At least 15 civilians, including an infant, were killed and 32 others injured when Myanmar military aircraft bombed four townships across Rakhine and Karenni states on Sunday, local media reported.

The airstrikes hit residential areas and a maternity facility across Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Kyaukphyu townships, killing 12 in Rakhine State, The Irrawaddy, an independent media outlet focusing on Myanmar and Southeast Asia, reported on Monday.

On Saturday, three children were killed and eight others injured when Myanmar military aircraft bombed a school in eastern Loikaw township, Karenni State, as children gathered for a nutrition program during a holiday.

Myanmar has been embroiled in a protracted civil war that intensified after the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the elected government in February 2021.

Several ethnic armed opposition groups are fighting the military-led government in different parts of the country.

Rakhine is home to a large Rohingya population, a predominantly Muslim minority that has faced persecution by the Myanmar military as well as other armed groups. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have been forced to flee the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian nation over the years.