The Shan Students’ Union and Tai Youth Yangon, a Shan civil society organization, have issued statements condemning the military’s airstrike on Pin Tee Monastery in Kyaukme Township, Northern Shan State, which resulted in civilian casualties. The airstrike on August 20 killed 10 internally displaced persons and severely injured 12 others who had taken shelter at the monastery.
The organizations strongly condemned the military’s airstrike, stating that it was conducted without proper verification of civilian and military targets. They also criticized the TNLA (Ta’ang National Liberation Army) for preventing local civilians from fleeing the area. Tai Youth Yangon demanded the immediate removal of security checkpoints in areas vulnerable to airstrikes and called for armed groups to relocate away from civilian populations. They emphasized that there is substantial evidence showing both armed forces failed to strictly adhere to military standards and protocols, which will need to be addressed when justice can be pursued in the future.
The organizations advised displaced civilians to remain vigilant about military activities and immediately relocate to safer areas when signs of conflict are detected. They announced that emergency assistance is available through local humanitarian organizations, with Shan civil society organizations ready to coordinate and provide necessary support through these local aid groups. The Shan Students’ Union also strongly condemned the airstrike and declared their commitment to seeking justice for civilian casualties in the future.
The military council’s indiscriminate airstrike on the monastery, a civilian shelter, without proper target verification has been highlighted by Shan social organizations as an action for which they must be held accountable. They emphasized that both the military’s aerial attack and the prevention of civilian evacuation by armed groups demonstrate a serious disregard for civilian safety and international humanitarian law. The organizations have committed to documenting these violations for future accountability and justice processes while working to provide immediate assistance to affected communities through their networks of local humanitarian organizations.
