A Myanmar military air strike hit a general hospital in Mrauk-U, Rakhine state, on Thursday evening. The attack killed at least 31 people and wounded 68, said aid worker Wai Hun Aung. "The situation is very terrible," he said. "As for now, we can confirm there are 31 deaths and we think there will be more deaths. Also there are 68 wounded and will be more and more." This strike is part of a sharp increase in air attacks as the military tries to regain control before elections starting December 28. The election is seen by the junta as a way to end years of fighting. However, rebel groups have vowed to block voting in areas they control. Conflict monitors note air strikes have increased year-on-year since the military took power in a 2021 coup. Last week, a strike on a tea shop in Sagaing region killed 18 civilians and injured 20. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power on February 1, 2021, ending a decade of democracy. The takeover sparked widespread protests, which were crushed by force. Many opponents then took up arms, fueling ongoing conflict across the country.