The Myanmar military deployed warplanes to drop bombs near a market in Sittwe city, Rakhine State, killing at least 33 people and injuring 36 amid the ongoing civil war.
On 28 Sep 2026 GMT+7, foreign news agencies reported a severe airstrike near a market in Sittwe, Rakhine State, western Myanmar. The Arakan Army and local rescue officials said Myanmar military warplanes dropped two bombs near the market around noon local time on Monday, causing at least 33 deaths and 36 injuries among traders, shoppers, and passersby, with the death toll expected to rise.
Senior rescue officer Wai Htun Aung in Rakhine confirmed the casualty figures and noted the market is a key regional wholesale hub attracting traders and buyers from across the state. He described the incident as one of the most severe airstrikes in Rakhine State.
Meanwhile, images and videos on social media showed buildings on fire, damaged cars, and parts of a nearby bridge destroyed by the blasts. The Myanmar military has yet to comment on the attack but has previously stated airstrikes target legitimate military objectives and accused anti-military groups of terrorism.
Rakhine State remains a major conflict zone between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group demanding self-rule for the Rakhine people. The Arakan Army launched a major offensive in November 2023, capturing key bases and 14 of 17 towns in the state. The fighting has severely impacted civilians, with UN data indicating nearly 500,000 people displaced by the conflict.
Source: Aljazeera, Irrawaddy