Myanmar Airstrike: Military Bombs High School, 19 Innocent Students Killed in Deadly Midnight Attack

Myanmar air strike: 19 students were killed and 22 injured in a military airstrike late Friday night in Myanmar's western Rakhine state. Two private high schools were targeted in this attack. The local ethnic armed group Arakan Army reported the incident on its Telegram channel. UNICEF described it as a 'brutal attack' and expressed concern about the increasing dangers facing children and families.

The Arakan Army said that airstrikes were carried out on two high schools in Kyauktaw township at night. The attack took place at around 12 am when the students were sleeping. In this attack, 19 students aged between 15 and 21 were killed and 22 others were injured. The ethnic group said in a statement that they mourn the death of innocent students and blamed the army for it.

Battle between army and opposition

The conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military government in Rakhine has been going on since last year. This conflict is over control of the region, where the army captured many areas last year. Since the coup of Aung San Suu Kyi's government in 2021, a widespread armed rebellion has spread in Myanmar, and the army is facing opposition on many fronts.

Response of local media and UNICEF

According to local media reports, military aircraft dropped two 500-pound bombs on the high school. UNICEF strongly condemned the attack, saying it is part of an increasing pattern of violence and children and their families bear the brunt of it. It is difficult to reach the real situation around Kyauktaw due to lack of internet and phone services.

Accusations against the military

AFP tried to contact the army spokesperson but did not receive any response. In the past years, the army has been accused of targeting civilian areas and carrying out air and artillery attacks. This attack has once again raised questions about the safety of the lives of children and civilians in Myanmar.