Myanmar: At Least 8 Killed in Prison Blasts

Facts

• On Wednesday, explosions caused by two parcel bombs at Myanmar's century-old, infamous Insein prison in Yangon morning killed at least three prison staff and five female visitors. Eighteen people were injured.
• Local news outlets reported claims that rounds were fired from a prison watchtower following blasts inside and outside the building, and a few people reportedly were been hit by gunfire. Prison guards reportedly engaged in shooting.
• The prison personnel killed in the attack were identified as Kyaw Zin Oo, Khin Moe Wai, and Poe Ei Zan. Among the five civilian victims, only the mother of jailed student activist Lin Htet Naing, known as James, has been identified so far.
• Urban guerrillas engaged in fighting against Myanmar's military junta have condemned the bombing for killing and injuring civilians. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
• Bombings and shootings have occurred daily in Myanmar as resistance groups target people associated with the military and establishments with official ties. This has been prevalent since the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted last year.
• Political prisoners at Insein Prison issued a list of officials and staff alleged to be involved in torture and rights abuses, calling for an international investigation into the military junta.

Sources: BBC News, Al Jazeera, Myanmar-Now, Associated Press, Washington Post, and Irrawaddy.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Myawady News. This bombing is the latest attack carried out by the opposition-linked terrorists against the Burmese people, killing innocent civilian women as they keep targeting non-military areas—including religious places and prisons. Security forces will take effective action against them to protect the public and hold those responsible accountable.
• Narrative B, as provided by The Irrawaddy. Armed resistance groups have already condemned this attack for the harm it caused to civilians, dismissing false allegations from the military. While the junta targets civilians to crush resistance with brutality, Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government has won support at home and abroad by conducting a guerrilla campaign against the regime.