Banmaw city in Kachin State continues to be a site of intense fighting between military council forces and revolutionary forces including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Today, March 30, around noon, fighter jets from the Meiktila Air Base conducted aerial bombardment on Banmaw city, as confirmed by Kachin military news sources. The extent of damage and casualties from this aerial attack remains unknown at this time.
Fighting in Banmaw city has been ongoing since December 4, 2024, with intense clashes between military council forces and revolutionary forces led by the Kachin Independence Army. While revolutionary forces are conducting offensive operations to capture Banmaw city, military council forces are maintaining defensive positions within Strategic Operations Command-21 (SOC-21) territory while continuously carrying out aerial strikes. The military council’s persistent use of airstrikes has significantly escalated the conflict in the region.
Notably, despite the devastating earthquake that struck the Mandalay region on March 28, causing civilian casualties and widespread destruction of buildings, the military council has not ceased its aerial operations. This continuation of airstrikes amid a natural disaster demonstrates their brutal approach. Local residents report that as revolutionary forces’ offensive operations have intensified in Banmaw city, the military council has increasingly relied on aerial attacks as a response. The ongoing conflict has led to significant displacement of civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure, yet the military council continues its aggressive aerial campaign against both military and civilian targets in the region.
