Myanmar's Military Junta Bombs Schools In Rakhine, Sleeping Students Among 19 Killed

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 17:29 IST

According to a statement from the ethnic armed group Arakan Army (AA), the attack occurred just after midnight on Friday, targeting two private high schools in Kyauktaw township

In addition to the fatalities, the airstrike reportedly wounded 22 other individuals, with victims ranging in age from 15 to 21. Image/AP

A military junta airstrike in Myanmar has reportedly killed at least 19 students in the country’s western Rakhine state. According to a statement from the ethnic armed group Arakan Army (AA), the attack occurred just after midnight on Friday, targeting two private high schools in Kyauktaw township. In addition to the fatalities, the strike wounded 22 other individuals, with victims ranging in age from 15 to 21, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The attack comes amid a significant escalation of fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, with clashes intensifying in recent months across Rakhine. The military junta, which seized power in a coup in February 2021, has faced a nationwide armed resistance and has been accused by human rights organisations of frequently targeting civilian areas. The targeting of schools, however, represents a particularly grave violation of international humanitarian law, drawing widespread condemnation from international bodies and human rights groups.

The Arakan Army, which controls a significant portion of Kyauktaw township and has been engaged in a fierce war with the junta, has released graphic images and details of the aftermath. These reports, while difficult to verify independently due to communication blackouts and media restrictions imposed by the military, provide a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis in the region. The incident highlights the extreme risks faced by civilians in Myanmar, where residential areas, educational institutions, and hospitals are increasingly becoming battlegrounds.

So far, the Myanmar military junta has not issued a formal statement on the incident, a common tactic in the face of such accusations. The silence from the junta further fuels concerns about accountability and justice for the victims. The attack has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and several Western nations, who have called for an immediate and independent investigation into the incident. The international community is once again being urged to take decisive action to protect civilians and hold the military regime accountable for its actions, as the conflict continues to claim innocent lives and erode any semblance of safety for Myanmar’s people.

News world Myanmar's Military Junta Bombs Schools In Rakhine, Sleeping Students Among 19 Killed

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