Airstrike on Myanmar Hospital Leaves Dozens Dead, Escalates Humanitarian Crisis

On December 10, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, a military airstrike targeted the Mrauk-U General Hospital in Rakhine State, Myanmar, resulting in at least 34 fatalities and over 80 injuries among patients, caregivers, and hospital staff. The attack, reportedly carried out by Myanmar's military junta, has drawn widespread international condemnation and intensified concerns over escalating violence in the region.

The Mrauk-U General Hospital, a 300-bed facility, was a critical healthcare provider in the conflict-torn state. The airstrike caused significant destruction, demolishing much of the hospital, including the main hall, operating theater, and wards. According to witnesses and aid workers, the attack occurred when a military jet dropped two bombs, one hitting the recovery ward and the other landing near the main building. The high number of casualties was attributed to the direct hit on the hospital, which was overflowing with patients at the time.

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic Rakhine armed group seeking autonomy from Myanmar's central government, has been in control of most of Rakhine's territory since launching an offensive in late 2023. The AA's spokesperson, Khine Thu Kha, stated that the Mrauk-U General Hospital was completely destroyed and emphasized that the high number of casualties occurred because the hospital took a direct hit.

International organizations and human rights groups have condemned the attack. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, "I am appalled and condemn in the strongest possible terms the strikes on the Rakhine hospital which left dozens of civilians dead and wounded." Amnesty International's Myanmar Researcher, Joe Freeman, highlighted the violation of international humanitarian law, noting that bombing a hospital on International Human Rights Day shows the utter disregard that the Myanmar military has for civilians.

The National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar's shadow government formed by ousted lawmakers and activists, also condemned the airstrike, calling for international pressure on the military regime. The NUG emphasized that the deliberate targeting of a civilian medical facility constitutes a war crime and urged the international community to take concerted, targeted, and effective action to hold perpetrators accountable.

The destruction of the Mrauk-U General Hospital exacerbates the already dire healthcare situation in Rakhine State, leaving thousands without access to essential medical services. The attack contributes to mass displacement, as civilians flee conflict zones, and instills fear among the population, undermining trust in institutions meant to protect them. Deliberate attacks on medical facilities are violations of international humanitarian law, potentially constituting war crimes.

The airstrike occurred ahead of Myanmar's planned national elections on December 28, 2025, which have been widely criticized as illegitimate. The timing of the attack, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, further highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The military has ramped up airstrikes ahead of the controversial elections, targeting pro-democracy forces who lack air defense.

This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure by Myanmar's military. In December 2025, a military airstrike on a tea shop in Sagaing Region killed at least 18 civilians. Additionally, in January 2025, an airstrike on Kyauk Ni Maw village resulted in over 40 deaths. These repeated attacks indicate a pattern of disregard for civilian lives and international norms.

The December 10 airstrike on Mrauk-U General Hospital represents a significant escalation in Myanmar's internal conflict, with severe humanitarian and political ramifications. The deliberate targeting of a medical facility not only violates international laws but also deepens the crisis faced by civilians in Rakhine State. As the international community responds, the situation underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing violence in Myanmar.