Brief

Myanmar airstrike kills 49 near Rakhine market, army says

A fighter jet dropped two bombs on a market in Kyauktaw, Rakhine state, killing 49 civilians and injuring 58, the rebel group said.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:18:04 GMT

A Myanmar military fighter jet dropped two bombs on a market in Kyauktaw township, Rakhine state, on Monday, killing 49 people and wounding 58, the Arakan Army and a senior rescue official said.

The attack, which took place around noon local time, targeted a market that is the main wholesale centre in the region, drawing traders and shoppers from across the state.

Wai Hun Aung, a senior rescue official in Rakhine, confirmed the details to the Associated Press, describing the strike as one of the most severe in Rakhine.

The Arakan Army, which controls Kyauktaw, said the fighter jet dropped two bombs near the market, killing vendors, shoppers and pedestrians. The group added that 22 of the 58 injured were critically wounded and that it would take "effective retaliatory measures" against those responsible for the attacks.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February 2021, sparking widespread armed opposition. The airstrike is part of a series of assaults against pro‑democracy and ethnic armed groups by the military government.

Nearly half a million people are displaced in Rakhine as a result of the conflict between the military and rebel groups.

Key facts

49 people killed in the airstrike (independent.co.uk)
58 people wounded, 22 critically, in the airstrike (independent.co.uk)
Arakan Army controls Kyauktaw township (independent.co.uk)
The strike took place around noon local time (aljazeera.com)
Wai Hun Aung confirmed details to Associated Press (aljazeera.com)

Background

The military coup in February 2021 has led to armed conflict between the junta and various ethnic armed groups, including the Arakan Army, which controls large parts of Rakhine state.