• Myanmar military confirms airstrike on a hospital, claiming it was used by opposition forces.
• Official reports indicate over 30 fatalities, including patients and medical staff.
• The UN and WHO have condemned the attack as part of a broader pattern of violence against civilians.

Myanmar’s military has publicly acknowledged an airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine state, refuting claims of civilian casualties by stating that the facility was utilized by armed opposition groups, including the Arakan Army and other pro-democracy militias. The airstrike reportedly resulted in over 30 deaths, including patients, medical workers, and children, according to local rescue services and media reports, which state the attack occurred in Mrauk-U township on December 13, 2025, when military jets dropped bombs on the hospital. The military asserts that the casualties were not civilians but armed members of opposition groups and their supporters, according to Channel News Asia, Anadolu Agency, and Los Angeles Times.

In a statement, the military described the hospital as a location where "AA terrorists" had established a base and claimed that it was officially closed by the government after the Arakan Army took control of the area. They emphasized that the airstrike was part of a necessary security measure against what they described as an ongoing threat. This assertion has been met with skepticism, as reports from various organization and local officials highlight the deaths of numerous civilians, including medical staff and patients trapped in the facility, according to Anadolu Agency and Los Angeles Times.

The United Nations has condemned this airstrike, noting it as part of a broader pattern of violence that endangers civilian lives and undermines humanitarian efforts in Myanmar. The UN reports that this is the 67th verified attack on health facilities in the country this year alone. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, voiced his disapproval, stating he was “appalled” by the attack on a facility dedicated to healthcare, which he warned would disrupt access to vital services for entire communities, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

Additionally, Bangladesh has expressed its condemnation of the airstrike, highlighting the need for protecting all civilians, including Rohingya and Rakhine communities, amidst the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. With the country engulfed in civil conflict since the military coup of 2021, reports indicate that more than 6,000 people have died and nearly 3 million have been displaced due to the escalating violence, according to Anadolu Agency and Los Angeles Times.