A tragic incident unfolded as a Myanmar air strike kills 19 students in Rakhine, sparking global outrage and condemnation. The attack took place in Kyauktaw township just after midnight on Friday, targeting two private high schools. According to the Arakan Army (AA), at least 19 students between 15 and 21 years old died, while 22 others suffered injuries. The group said the students were sleeping when the bombs hit.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic minority armed group, has been locked in fierce battles with Myanmar’s military for control of Rakhine. Over the past year, the AA has seized large portions of territory, intensifying the conflict. The Myanmar air strike kills 19 students in Rakhine, adding to the cycle of devastating violence.
Local media reported that a junta warplane dropped two 500-pound bombs on the school. Calls to junta officials for comment have gone unanswered. Internet and phone disruptions in the region make independent verification difficult.
UNICEF strongly condemned the “brutal attack,” stating that children and families continue to pay the ultimate price in Myanmar’s unrest. Rights groups and international observers have repeatedly accused the junta of targeting civilian areas with air and artillery strikes.
