According to a statement from a People’s Defense Force (PDF) official in Pyin Oo Lwin District, the military council conducted an aerial bombardment on Leipgya village in Sagaing Township, Mandalay Region, during the Myanmar New Year festival. The air strike occurred at approximately 7:17 AM on April 16, 2024, when a fighter jet from the Meiktila Shan Taw Air Force Base carried out the attack. While no civilian casualties were reported, several residential buildings in the village suffered damage from the bombardment.
A spokesperson from the Pyin Oo Lwin District PDF revealed that Leipgya village is frequently targeted by military council air strikes, and advised local residents to construct bomb shelters for protection against aerial attacks and to seek refuge in areas far from military positions. The spokesperson also disclosed that the military council deliberately targets civilian areas in their attempts to suppress local PDF forces and revolutionary groups in the region. The military’s strategy of attacking civilian populations as a means of combating resistance forces has become increasingly common in the area.
Leipgya village, located within Sagaing Township, remains outside the military council’s control. Local residents live in constant fear of air strikes and maintain readiness to evacuate at any moment. The Pyin Oo Lwin District PDF regularly issues warnings and practical advice to civilians regarding protection against aerial attacks. The situation highlights the ongoing pattern of the military council’s use of airpower against civilian targets, a tactic that has resulted in widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and displacement of local populations throughout the region. The PDF continues to emphasize the importance of civilian safety measures and maintaining vigilance against potential military attacks.
