At around 10 a.m. on May 13, the Myanmar military launched an airstrike on Htun Ywar Wai (Old) Village in Rathidaung Township, Rakhine State, killing 13 civilians including children and mothers, according to local sources.
The junta aircraft dropped two 500-pound bombs on the village, which had no military presence or strategic targets. The attack resulted in the immediate deaths of 13 people and left more than 20 others injured.
“So far, we’ve confirmed 13 deaths. They were killed on the spot. Over 20 people were injured, and the number of fatalities may increase. We will provide a full list of names later, but this is what we can confirm now,” said a local source.
The victims reportedly include a 6-year-old child, a 10-year-old child, and several women. Emergency treatment is being provided to the injured at nearby hospitals and clinics, where some patients are said to be in critical condition.
A spokesperson for the Arakan Army (AA), U Khaing Thukha, also confirmed to the media that 13 civilians were killed, over 20 were injured, and 12 homes were destroyed during the airstrike on Htun Ywar Wai village.
“The junta dropped two 500-pound bombs on a village with around 200 households. It’s a civilian area completely unrelated to military activities. The villagers were living peacefully before the airstrike. There could be more casualties still buried under the rubble,” said a local resident from Rathidaung.
