Myanmar military air raids hit maternity ward and school, leaving 15 dead

At least 15 people have lost their lives following a series of weekend air attacks by the Myanmar armed forces that hit civilian infrastructure, including an educational facility and a health clinic caring for mothers and infants, local monitoring bodies and aid personnel reported on Monday.

The bombardments struck several areas across western and eastern parts of the nation as the ruling junta intensifies its aerial operations to reclaim ground seized by resistance fighters. In western Rakhine state, aerial attacks on Sunday battered four townships. Targets included a bridge in Kyauktaw along with sites in Kyaukpyu, Pauktaw, and Mrauk-U, an area held by the Arakan Army insurgent movement.

In Mrauk-U, munitions hit a temporary healthcare facility and maternity wing, claiming 12 lives and leaving 32 others wounded, according to representatives from the Arakan Army and a local relief worker. Among those killed was a seven-day-old infant girl whose twin survived. Aid worker Wai Hun Aung reported that the newborn was crushed when the structure caved in from the explosion, adding that four medical personnel and clinic staff were also among the casualties.

A day earlier, in Kayah state near the frontier with Thailand, military aircraft targeted a school in Loikaw while students were attending classes. The Karenni Human Rights Group stated that three pupils died and five suffered injuries after more than 20 bombs were released by a fighter jet and a transport plane. Banyar Khun Aung, an official with the Karenni Interim Executive Council, noted that no clashes were taking place nearby and described the deliberate bombing of children in a classroom as an inhumane war crime.

The cross-border impact has heightened tensions with neighbouring Thailand, where authorities deployed fighter jets for patrol flights after stray ordnance damaged residences and wounded at least one individual on the Thai side. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that Bangkok had pressed Myanmar authorities to show restraint and prevent further spillover.

Spokespersons for Myanmar's military administration did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the latest incidents. The regime has previously maintained that its operations focus strictly on combating terrorist elements, claiming its forces take precautions to limit harm to non-combatants.

Myanmar has remained embroiled in extensive internal conflict since general Min Aung Hlaing toppled the democratically elected government in 2021. United Nations figures estimate that the escalating war has caused around 100,000 fatalities and forced over 3.5 million people from their homes. Amid continuing territorial setbacks on the ground, the military has turned increasingly to its air fleet to target opposition-controlled territories.