A Myanmar military airstrike struck a market and nearby bridge in Kyauktaw township of Rakhine State on Monday, killing at least 33 people and wounding 36 others, according to the Arakan Army and local rescue officials.

The attack occurred around midday when the area was busy with vendors, shoppers, and pedestrians. A fighter jet reportedly dropped two bombs near the market, which serves as a key wholesale center in the region. Witnesses described bodies among smoldering wreckage and cratered roads, with some remains visible under plastic sheeting as firefighters worked the scene.

Rescue official Wai Hun Aung confirmed the casualty figures and noted that the death toll could rise. The location is described as far from active fighting zones. The Arakan Army, which controls the area, stated the strike may have been among the deadliest in Rakhine since a December 2025 hospital attack that killed at least 30 people.

Myanmar has been embroiled in civil conflict since the military's 2021 coup ousted the elected government. The junta has faced accusations of targeting civilians in areas held by ethnic armed groups like the Arakan Army. The military has not commented on this incident but has previously claimed its strikes target only legitimate threats.

The market area has grown into a vital trade hub amid the broader isolation of Rakhine state, which borders India and Bangladesh. Some reports have cited higher casualty figures from local sources, though initial confirmations center on 33 deaths.