Myanmar Airstrike Kills at Least 19 High School Students in Rakhine State

Myanmar Airstrike Kills at Least 19 High School Students in Rakhine State
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A deadly airstrike by Myanmar’s military junta has killed at least 19 high school students in western Rakhine state, Arab News reported citing the ethnic armed group Arakan Army (AA). The attack targeted two private schools in Kyauktaw township shortly after midnight on September 12, 2025. The victims were aged between 15 and 21, with an additional 22 students wounded.

The AA, engaged in intense fighting with the military for control of Rakhine, blamed the junta for the strike. Attempts to get a response from the military spokesperson were unsuccessful. Local media, Myanmar Now, reported that a junta warplane dropped two 500-pound bombs on the school while students were asleep.

UNICEF condemned the attack, describing it as “brutal” and highlighting the devastating impact on children and families in the conflict-ridden region. The Rakhine conflict is part of wider unrest following the 2021 military coup that ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Communication difficulties in Kyauktaw have hindered independent verification of the incident. The military continues to face resistance across Myanmar and is accused of frequently targeting civilian areas with air and artillery strikes.