Myanmar Military Airstrikes Temporary Government Event Venue... "Fighter Jets Drop Bombs Toward Crowd"

The Myanmar military launched an airstrike on an event venue of the anti-junta provisional government, resulting in the deaths of at least dozens of people, including civilians. There are concerns locally that the number of casualties could reach 100.

According to local media on the 12th, at least 53 people were killed in an airstrike by the Myanmar military in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing region in northern Myanmar the previous morning.

Duwa Lashi La, acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG), the provisional government of Myanmar's democratic camp, stated on social media (SNS) the previous day, "So far, 53 deaths and 20 injuries have been confirmed," adding, "The death toll is expected to rise." While an exact casualty count has not yet been released, local media reported that the death toll could reach 100.

The Myanmar military began the airstrike around 8 a.m. targeting the opening ceremony venue of the NUG's village office. Approximately 150 people, including civilians, were reportedly gathered at the site.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

An officer from the Civilian Resistance Forces under the NUG said, "Fighter jets dropped bombs on the crowd, followed by helicopters opening fire."

Another Civilian Resistance Forces official also reported, "The bodies were severely mutilated by the airstrike, making it difficult to determine the exact number of casualties."

The casualties reportedly include many women, children, and elderly people. They appeared to have attended the event to receive food provided at the opening ceremony.

The Myanmar military staged a coup, claiming the November 2020 general election won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi was fraudulent, and has been indiscriminately suppressing opposition forces using fighter jets and other means.

The international community, including the European Union (EU), also condemned the airstrike. United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres urged, "The military must stop the violence across Myanmar," while the U.S. Department of State criticized, "This clearly shows the military regime's disregard for human life and its responsibility for the political and humanitarian crisis Myanmar has faced since the coup."

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