Local sources have confirmed that 17 civilians, including 5 children, were killed in an airstrike conducted by the military council forces in the Mawchi area of Pharusaung Township, Karenni State. The attack occurred at 12:15 PM on August 17, when military aircraft bombed the area known as Hill 16 in the Mawchi region. The bombing, which targeted an area near a preschool, resulted in the deaths of several children and left many others injured. Rescue workers in the area have reported that some civilians are still missing in the aftermath of the attack.
Earlier that morning, the military council forces had also conducted surveillance flights and bombing raids on Lokha Lo Hospital in the Mawchi area of Pharusaung Township for two consecutive days. The attack, which took place at approximately 8:30 AM, resulted in injuries to one child and one adult, though their conditions were not life-threatening. However, the hospital building was completely destroyed in the assault. Local residents reported that because the military council had been conducting aerial surveillance for two days, people were maintaining heightened vigilance, which helped minimize casualties during the attacks.
Local sources emphasize that these military council airstrikes targeting innocent civilians, particularly children, constitute violations of international humanitarian law. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools amounts to war crimes. The destruction of the hospital has severely impacted healthcare services for the local population, and medical professionals are facing significant challenges in treating the wounded. The ongoing attacks have created a humanitarian crisis in the region, with local communities struggling to access essential medical care and other basic services. The situation continues to deteriorate as the military council intensifies its aerial campaign against civilian targets in the region.
