28-6-2023 (YANGON) A devastating air strike carried out by Myanmar’s military forces has resulted in the deaths of ten civilians, according to reports from locals and media outlets on Wednesday. The airstrike, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, targeted Nyaung Kone village in the northern Sagaing region. The incident sheds light on the ongoing violence that has engulfed Myanmar since the coup in 2021, with the military clashing with ethnic rebels and various “People’s Defence Forces” across the country.
Human rights organizations have accused the military of committing extrajudicial killings, destroying villages, and employing air strikes as a form of collective punishment against its adversaries. The military jet responsible for the attack dropped three bombs on the village, as described by Ko Zaw Tun, an anti-coup fighter from Nyaung Kone. Tragically, ten individuals lost their lives, and eight others sustained injuries in the airstrike. Ko Zaw Tun revealed that there was no ongoing fighting in the area when the military targeted the village, emphasizing that the attack seemed unprovoked.
According to AFP, eleven houses were destroyed in the assault, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. A resident of Nyaung Kone, who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal, confirmed the death toll and shared that the community had quickly organized funeral rites for the victims, uncertain about the military’s next move. The residents were left in shock and confusion, with no knowledge of the military’s intentions or plans.
BBC Burmese and other local media outlets also reported on the air strike, with some sources indicating that nine individuals had lost their lives. Images published by local media depicted the aftermath of the attack, showing locals attempting to extinguish smoldering debris and ash, as well as a significant building reduced to ruins. AFP’s digital verification experts confirmed the authenticity of the images, verifying that they had not been previously circulated online before Tuesday.
The military, facing continued resistance to its rule, is grappling with challenges in its efforts to suppress opposition. Experts suggest that the military is resorting to artillery strikes and air power as it confronts staunch resistance on the ground. In the past year alone, the United Nations reported over 300 air strikes conducted by the military. Sagaing, in particular, has emerged as a hotbed of anti-junta resistance, witnessing numerous instances of violent clashes and military aggression.
This latest airstrike follows a similar incident in April when the military bombed a gathering in Sagaing, resulting in the reported deaths of approximately 170 individuals. The attack drew renewed global condemnation of the isolated junta’s actions, further highlighting the dire situation unfolding within Myanmar.
