Myanmar airstrikes kill 15 civilians, including child

At least 15 civilians, including a child, have been killed and 32 others injured in Myanmar military airstrikes on four towns in Rakhine and Karenni states.

The attacks targeted residential areas and a maternity centre, with 12 of the deaths reported in Rakhine State, according to local media reports.

The airstrikes took place on Sunday in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Kyaukphyu towns in Rakhine State, as well as areas of Karenni State, according to reports carried by independent media outlet The Irrawaddy.

Among those killed in Rakhine was a child.

On Saturday, the military also carried out an airstrike on a school in the eastern town of Loikaw in Karenni State. A nutrition programme for children was underway during the holiday when the attack killed three children and injured eight others.

Myanmar has been in a prolonged civil war. The conflict intensified after the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the elected government in February 2021.

Since then, several ethnic armed groups have been fighting the military-led government in different parts of the country.

sks