In a devastating airstrike by the Myanmar military on a village in western Rakhine state, approximately 40 individuals lost their lives, with at least 20 others injured, as reported by officials from a local ethnic armed group and a charity. The incident occurred on January 9, 2025, in Kyauk Ni Maw village located on Ramree Island, which is under the control of the ethnic Arakan Army. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attack led to hundreds of houses being engulfed in flames triggered by the bombing.

The situation remains dire as the military has not confirmed the airstrike, and access to internet and mobile services in the region has been largely restricted. Reports indicate that a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, Khaing Thukha, disclosed that the airstrike, conducted by a military jet, specifically targeted civilians, noting, “All the dead were civilians. Among the dead and injured are women and children.” The extent of destruction was significant, with over 500 homes reported to have been destroyed by the subsequent fires.

The ongoing violence in Myanmar traces back to February 2021 when the military conducted a coup, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. This cataclysmic event sparked widespread unrest, prompting many to take up arms against military rule, leading to conflicts that engulf vast portions of the country. The subsequent three years have seen a surge in airstrikes targeting armed ethnic minority groups and pro-democracy factions collectively termed the People's Defense Force, as they have engaged in joint military operations against the army.

Ramree Island, situated about 340 kilometers (210 miles) northwest of Yangon, has witnessed increased military activities since it fell under the control of the Arakan Army in March 2024. This group, recognized for its robust military capabilities, is part of a broader coalition seeking greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government and has recently made notable territorial gains, including capturing key military installations.

Further confirmations of the airstrike’s impact were provided by charity leaders assisting affected villagers. Reports from the ground indicated a death toll of at least 41 and over 50 injured, with many victims requiring urgent medical attention. A leader from the charity, who remained unnamed due to security fears, indicated that the airstrike primarily hit the village market, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as local resources to treat the injured were running low.

Images circulated by local news outlets, including Arakan Princess Media, illustrated the grim aftermath of the assault, depicting villagers attempting to extinguish fires engulfing their homes. The historical context of Rakhine state's turmoil is noteworthy, as the area has a troubled history of military counterinsurgency operations, notably the 2017 crisis that led to the mass exodus of approximately 740,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh to escape violence.

As the situation unfolds, the international community remains watchful as Myanmar grapples with escalating violence and humanitarian challenges, underscored by this tragic airstrike.

For further details, refer to the original articles from CNN and The Guardian.