The Karen National Union (KNU) has reported that two 15-year-old children were killed due to military artillery fire in Thaton and Kyaikto Townships of Mon State. The incidents occurred during July, resulting from artillery bombardments by military artillery battalions that caused civilian casualties. The military’s indiscriminate shelling has raised serious concerns about civilian safety in the region.
In Thaton Township, Artillery Battalion 314 fired two 120mm artillery shells at 10:02 AM on July 17, which landed and exploded near Shwe Kyi village in Kyat Kat Chaung village tract and near Upper Naung Katut village in Kyauk Taung village tract. The following day, on July 18 at 11:58 AM, two more artillery shells were fired, with one landing between Upper Naung Katut village and Inn village, and another exploding near Shwe Kyi village where civilians were working.
In Kyaikto Township, Artillery Battalion 310 fired two 120mm artillery shells at 5:30 PM on July 17, which landed and exploded between Three Way village and Kyauk Pon Gyi village in Kha Ywe village tract. The shelling resulted in the death of 15-year-old Saw Thein Htoo from Three Way village, who was struck by artillery shell fragments. Additionally, on July 21 at 2:00 PM, military jet fighters conducted an airstrike on Old Saung Naing Gyi village in Win Kalaw village tract, destroying two houses.
On July 23, between 12:08 PM and 12:16 PM, the military fired three 60mm artillery shells that landed in A Lu Lay East village in A Lu village tract. This attack resulted in the death of 15-year-old Naw Khin Nan Moe and destroyed three houses, according to the KNU’s statement. Local residents have expressed deep concern over the military’s continued artillery attacks that are claiming innocent civilian lives, particularly those of children. These incidents highlight the ongoing crisis of civilian safety in areas where the military conducts artillery operations.
