Myanmar: Military Airstrike Kills At Least 100

Facts

• According to the shadow government of the ousted National Unity Government (NUG), over 100 people, including at least 30 children, were killed when Myanmar's military junta bombed a large gathering in rebel-held territory in the north-western Sagaing region on Tuesday.¹
• An anonymous leader of the People's Defense Force (PDF) — a self-proclaimed rebel army — reported that a fighter jet dropped bombs and an Mi-35 helicopter opened fire on the crowd as they celebrated the opening of a new PDF office in Kanbalu's Pa Zi Gyi village.²
• According to Kanbalu's elected representative, Nay Zin Latt, more than 800 people were in attendance during the attack, which reportedly lasted about 15 minutes.³
• Speaking on Myawaddy TV — the military junta's television network — spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun confirmed that the army was behind an airstrike on the village but claimed that it was targeting rebel forces in the area.¹
• Tuesday's attack is among the deadliest in a string of air strikes since air force jets dropped three bombs on a concert last October, which killed at least 50 civilians in Kachin State.⁴
• Myanmar has been mired in political violence since military leader Min Aung Hlaing seized power by unseating the administration led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup. More than 3K are estimated to have been killed and over 17K arrested during military crackdowns in the past two years.⁵

Sources: ¹New York Times, ²Washington Post, ³Independent, ⁴BBC News and ⁵Itn.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. The latest aerial massacre by Myanmar's illegal and illegitimate military rule constitutes a war crime. Until the international community supports the pro-democracy shadow government and provides humanitarian assistance to regions engulfed in conflict, Myanmar's military will continue to step up its aerial offensive to indiscriminately kill civilians, violently suppress resistance to its takeover, and deter a peaceful and democratic transition.
• Narrative B, as provided by Bangkokpost. While the loss of life is tragic, due to its commitment to restoring perpetual peace and stability in Myanmar, the junta has no option other than to use lethal force to fight armed insurgents and terrorists trying to destabilize and devastate the country and seize power. Anti-junta armed groups are responsible for at least 5K deaths since 2021, which is why accusing Myanmar's military of committing war crimes is unacceptable.