The Karen National Union (KNU) Central Committee has reported that three innocent civilians were killed, two were injured, and eight houses were damaged due to airstrikes conducted by the military council forces in Kyaukkyi and Mone Townships of Bago Region. The military council’s air attacks occurred on March 5th and 6th, specifically targeting civilian residential areas.
Around 2:00 AM on March 6th, a fighter jet from the Taungoo Air Force Base conducted an airstrike on Kyaukkyi Pauk village in Mone Township, resulting in the death of 63-year-old Daw Htwe and injuries to 15-year-old Ma Win Win Aye and 24-year-old Ma Phyo Yadanar Aung. One house was damaged in this attack. Subsequently, at 2:05 AM, the military council forces launched another airstrike on Makyantaw village in Mone Township, killing 53-year-old Ma Khing Oo and 55-year-old U Aung Myint Aye.
The military council’s airstrikes on Makyantaw village resulted in damage to six houses, with another house being completely burned down. At 2:15 AM, the military council forces continued their assault with rocket attacks. On March 5th at 6:46 PM, the military council’s air force conducted an airstrike on Inn Net village in Kyaukkyi Township, though the KNU confirmed there were no casualties or damage from this particular attack.
On March 6th at 8:53 PM, the military council forces carried out another airstrike on Thayesilaw (Nawetpin) village in Kyaukkyi Township, resulting in damage to one house. These military council airstrikes against civilians constitute violations of international law and can be classified as war crimes, according to human rights organizations. The military council’s deliberate targeting of innocent civilians clearly demonstrates their commission of war crimes. The pattern of attacks shows a systematic approach to targeting civilian areas, causing death, injury, and destruction of civilian property, which are clear violations of international humanitarian law and human rights conventions.
