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Myanmar military airstrike kills at least 49 people near a market in Rakhine state
September 29, 2026
On Monday a Myanmar military airstrike near a market in Arakan Army territory in Rakhine wounded 58 people and killed at least 49.
Myanmar has been gripped by opposition and conflict since the military took power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government on February 1, 2021, and the Arakan Army has captured 14 of 17 townships in Rakhine.
Key facts
- Since opening its Rakhine offensive in November 2023, the group has taken 14 of 17 townships in the state along with a regional military headquarters of strategic importance.
- Widespread opposition followed the military’s seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government on February 1, 2021, and Myanmar has been in turmoil ever since.
- At least 33 people were killed and 70 more were wounded when a military airstrike hit a hospital in Mrauk U township, Rakhine, in December.
- According to the rebel group and a rescue official, a Myanmar military airstrike on Monday near a market in territory the powerful group controls left at least 49 people dead and 58 wounded.
- Citing rescuers on the ground, Wai Hun Aung, a senior Rakhine rescue official, confirmed the casualty figures to The Associated Press.
AP News reports that a Myanmar military airstrike on Monday near a market in territory held by the Arakan Army left 58 wounded and at least 49 people dead. It credits those figures to the group and to Wai Hun Aung, who leads rescue work in Rakhine as a senior official and relied on rescuers at the scene. Reuters puts the death toll at 50. “This is one of the most severe airstrikes in Rakhine,” Hun Aung said. He describes the market as the main wholesale hub for the region, a draw for traders and shoppers statewide.
NBC News and Al Jazeera carry the same core account, and the New York Times headline tells of dozens killed in the military bombing, with bodies compared to charcoal. In a statement, the group says it “will take effective retaliatory measures soon against the individuals and organizations directly responsible for the attacks involving deliberate airstrikes that have caused mass casualties.” Al Jazeera reports that the military gave no immediate comment, and that it has said in the past that its strikes hit only legitimate military targets while accusing resistance groups of terrorism. Al Jazeera also recalls a December airstrike on a hospital in Mrauk U township that wounded 70 and killed at least 33 people.
AP News places the attack in a series of deadly military airstrikes on ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces across Myanmar. The Arakan Army launched its Rakhine offensive in November 2023 and has since taken a regional military headquarters and 14 of 17 townships in the state, while military limits on trade routes have deepened food shortages. The outlets agree on the strike, its location near the market and a toll of at least 49 dead. The military's own account of the attack is still absent.
“This is one of the most severe airstrikes in Rakhine,” said Hun Aung.
Hun Aung
Still developing
The military's comment on the airstrike near the market had not moved as of this draft.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- AP News — At least 49 dead after airstrike near market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state
- Reuters — Death toll from Myanmar airstrike in Rakhine state rises to 50 - Internazionale
- The New York Times — Dozens Killed in Myanmar Military Bombing - The New York Times
- Al Jazeera — Myanmar military launches air strike on Rakhine market, killing at least 33 | Conflict News | Al Jazeera
Toggle read the full reports of all 5 outlets counted on this event.