In Hin Gae village, Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, an unprovoked aerial attack by the military council resulted in the death of a seven-year-old child and a man in his fifties. The attack occurred around 11 AM on April 19, 2024, also leaving four other villagers injured. The bombing also caused significant damage to several homes in the village. Local sources confirmed that there was no active fighting in the area when the military launched the aerial assault on the civilian population.
The incident occurred following an attack by revolutionary forces on the Win Wa police station, located along the Dawei-Myeik highway, on April 18. In retaliation, the military council conducted aerial bombardments on surrounding villages for two consecutive days, targeting civilian areas without military engagement. This pattern of attacks on non-combatant zones demonstrates the military council’s continued commission of war crimes. The deliberate targeting of areas with no active conflict constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The military’s actions have created an atmosphere of terror among local residents, forcing many to flee their homes and seek shelter in safer locations.
According to local residents, the military council regularly conducts such aerial attacks not only on areas of active conflict but also on civilian settlements. These attacks have created a climate of fear and uncertainty among the local population, forcing many to abandon their homes and become internally displaced. The impact is particularly severe on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and women. The military council’s brutal attacks have significantly worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The targeting of civilian areas without military necessity represents a continuing pattern of the military council’s disregard for civilian lives and international humanitarian principles.
