The sounds of children’s laughter were silenced in Thayattapin village, replaced by the grim echoes of conflict. A private boarding school, meant to be a safe haven for learning, was utterly destroyed on September 12, 2025. Reports from Irrawaddy News paint a heartbreaking picture, confirming that an airstrike by the Myanmar military flattened the school.
The attack tragically claimed the lives of 22 people. Most of the victims were young students and children from the surrounding area. Initially, eighteen bodies were recovered, but the toll climbed as four critically injured students later died from their wounds. Photographs from the scene show the school building reduced to rubble, with nearby structures also suffering severe damage.
This village, located on the busy Yangon–Sittwe road, is known for its many private schools and student dormitories. However, the military’s own media outlets claimed the Arakan Army used the village as a training ground. Local rescue workers confirmed the rising death toll, stating that at least 22 people had perished. Villagers present at the time insisted there was no ground fighting happening in the area when the bombs fell.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just weeks prior, on August 25, Myanmar military aircraft bombed Mrauk-U, killing 14 civilians. That attack also included young children and teenagers among the dead. The Arakan Army has documented a grim tally, reporting that at least 106 people have died from military air attacks in Rakhine State since early 2024.
The wider conflict in the region continues to rage. The Arakan Army now controls 14 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State, along with Paletwa in Chin State. Meanwhile, the capital city of Sittwe and the crucial port of Kyaukphyu remain firmly under the control of the Myanmar military.
