7 Civilians Killed in Myanmar Military Crackdown on Rebel Forces

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Myanmar military continues to deploy armed helicopters and fighter jets to attack rebel forces opposing the military government, resulting in increasing casualties.

According to local media The Irrawaddy on the 21st, the Myanmar military deployed four helicopters and one fighter jet in an operation to suppress the People's Defense Force (PDF) in a village in the Gang-o area of central Magwe on the 17th.

AFP reported, "Two helicopters fired machine guns from the air, while the other two transported about 100 Myanmar soldiers to the village. The fighter jet circled above the village while firing shots."

During the attack, two soldiers belonging to the People's Defense Force were killed in the firefight, and seven civilians also lost their lives. Among the deceased civilians, five were tragically shot while traveling in a vehicle by the Myanmar military. Two others were caught while working in the fields or herding cattle, then shot in the head while bound, dying instantly.

The Myanmar military government admitted to deploying helicopters, stating that they attacked after receiving intelligence that the rebel forces were convening a meeting. They also claimed to have killed six members of the People's Defense Force and seized a large quantity of weapons.

On the 27th of last month, the Myanmar military also deployed two attack helicopters to assault Tabayin Township in the central Sagaing region. During this operation, civilians were also targeted, resulting in two deaths and three injuries among residents. On the 25th of last month, in northern Kachin State, they used the latest Russian-made fighter jets to attack the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.