Myanmar has been engulfed in a civil war since a military coup five years ago, which sparked armed resistance from democratic activists and ethnic minority factions. Rakhine State, located on the western coast, is one of the hardest-hit regions, largely controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority group that is regularly bombarded by the junta's air forces. On Tuesday, an airstrike targeted the village of Ponnagyun, situated approximately 30 km northeast of the state capital, Sittwe, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

According to reports from the AA and local volunteer groups, the attack took place at 2 PM local time, killing 17 civilians, including three children, and injuring an additional 15 individuals. The military junta's spokesperson was unavailable for comments on this incident, which underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State as relief groups continue to express concern over escalating violence and its impact on local communities.

This incident is a stark reminder of the deteriorating situation across Myanmar as the military junta intensifies its assaults against both resistance groups and civilian populations. The international community's response to these ongoing violations of human rights and increasing humanitarian needs in areas like Rakhine will be crucial in shaping the future of this strife-torn nation.