Myanmar Military Jet Bombs Busy Market in Rebel Territory: At Least 50 Dead, 58 Injured
ASIA-PACIFIC DESK — At least 50 people were killed and 58 others injured when a Myanmar military jet dropped two bombs on a crowded wholesale market in rebel-controlled territory in western Myanmar. The air attack took place at approximately 12:00 PM local time on Monday, September 28, targeting a riverside commercial hub in Kyauktaw town, located in northern Rakhine State.
Sequence of Events and Impact
According to eyewitnesses, local rescue officials, and representatives from the Arakan Army (AA), a fighter aircraft swooped low over the town around midday before releasing two high-explosive bombs directly into the main market area. Hundreds of local residents, traders, and shoppers were gathered at the site at the time of the strike.
The explosions triggered intense fires that destroyed wooden market stalls and left victims trapped under burning debris. While initial local reports estimated the death toll at approximately 30, rescue workers confirmed that the fatality count rose to 50 as search teams continued clearing rubble. Local volunteers warned that the final body count could increase further due to severe burns and injuries among the 58 hospitalized victims.
Medical and Rescue Challenges
First responders faced significant hurdles rescuing victims from the burning market structures. Local rescue workers reported that emergency teams pulled survivors from the fires using basic tools and manual equipment. Ongoing blockades on civilian transport and medical supplies across Rakhine State have left regional clinics facing severe shortages of blood supplies, burn treatments, and trauma care equipment.
Conflict Context in Rakhine State
Kyauktaw is an urban center in northern Rakhine State currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic armed group that launched a major offensive against military junta forces in November 2023. Since the conflict escalated, the Arakan Army has gained control over 14 of Rakhine State's 17 townships, driving military forces out of numerous garrisons.
Having lost ground control across much of the region, the military regime has routinely deployed aerial bombing and naval artillery against opposition-held areas. While the military maintains that its operations target combatants and military infrastructure, human rights groups note that public places such as markets, schools, and hospitals continue to bear heavy civilian casualties.
Why It Matters
- Humanitarian Impact: The strike highlights the rising civilian toll in opposition-controlled regions where healthcare access is limited.
- Regional Escalation: Increased reliance on air power underscores ongoing territorial losses by junta forces across Rakhine State.
This news report is published exclusively on DGNHDTV.com based on official statements, eyewitness reports, and humanitarian network dispatches.