• Myanmar military airstrike kills at least 33 people in Rakhine state.
• Attack near a market results in casualties among vendors and shoppers.
• Nearly half a million people are displaced in Rakhine due to ongoing conflicts.
• The Arakan Army threatens retaliatory measures in response to the strikes.
• The military regime has faced international condemnation since the 2021 coup.

A Myanmar military airstrike on Monday claimed at least 33 lives near a market in Rakhine state, with reports indicating that 36 others were wounded. The attack was carried out by a fighter jet controlled by Myanmar’s military government in a region controlled by the Arakan Army, a rebel group striving for greater autonomy for the local ethnic minority. The strikes took place near Kyauktaw, resulting in casualties among vendors and pedestrians who frequent the market, described as a key wholesale center in the area, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The Arakan Army reported that the airstrike represents one of the most severe attacks in Rakhine, with the potential death toll likely to "continue to increase." Eyewitness accounts and videos from the site revealed extensive destruction, including damaged buildings and vehicles. The military's ongoing campaign against pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups has left over half a million people displaced in Rakhine, as reported by India Times and Al Jazeera.

In response to the recent strikes, the Arakan Army has threatened to undertake retaliatory actions against those responsible, emphasizing the severe nature of the military’s air raids. This incident underscores the broader conflict that erupted following the military coup in February 2021, with the junta's crackdown on dissent leading to a widespread armed resistance. The worsening humanitarian crisis has seen the UN describe the situation as deteriorating, highlighting the harsh conditions facing displaced individuals and communities in Myanmar, as detailed by Reuters and India Times.