Local residents report that four civilians were killed and many others were injured due to artillery fire and airstrikes by the military in Kani Township, Sagaing Region, and Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region, despite the absence of any ground battles. On September 22 evening, military airstrikes using a helicopter gunship targeted Samingchan model village in Kani Township, resulting in the deaths of four civilians – Ko Kyaw Thu, Ko Than Po, U Kyaw Aye, and Ma Mi Byar – along with four working buffaloes.
The helicopter dropped two bombs near the main road east of Samingchan village, targeting civilians without any ongoing ground battles in the area. Due to frequent aerial attacks by the military on Samingchan village recently, local residents have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other areas, as it is no longer safe to stay in the village. The aerial attack was reportedly carried out by a helicopter gunship from the Northwest Military Command based in Monywa.
Additionally, on September 21 evening, the military’s Light Infantry Battalion 15 based in Myingyan fired howitzer artillery shells at Ywagyi village in Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region. Earlier, on September 9 morning, five gyrocopters from the Meiktila Air Force Base conducted airstrikes on Magyikan village in Ngazun Township, resulting in injuries to five civilians, destruction of two houses, and the death of three working buffaloes.
The military continues to conduct frequent artillery strikes and aerial attacks in Ngazun Township, along with ground operations. Military sources in the region indicate that the army is preparing to launch more clearance operations in Ngazun Township under the pretext of securing the area for elections planned for December. These military actions continue to pose serious threats to civilian safety and livelihoods in the region, with local residents facing ongoing displacement and loss of property due to indiscriminate attacks.
