The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has confirmed that four civilians were killed and four others were injured in an airstrike conducted by the military council forces in Kyaukme town, northern Shan State. The aerial attack occurred on the evening of June 24, targeting Wards 3 and 7 of Kyaukme town, where the military council’s jet fighters dropped two 500-pound bombs in a deliberate attack on civilian areas.
According to the TNLA, the attack was carried out in areas where there was no active fighting, indicating a deliberate targeting of civilian populations. During the two separate airstrikes, two men and two women were killed, while another two men and two women sustained injuries. The attack also resulted in the destruction of 10 residential houses. Local residents reported that one bomb struck near a mosque and Ward 3 administrative office, while another bomb hit the San Pya Restaurant area. The military council’s deliberate targeting of civilian areas represents a serious escalation in their campaign of violence against the local population.
Such airstrikes against civilians have become increasingly frequent in the region. On June 12, the military council forces had similarly targeted civilians in Man Li village of Namtu Township, dropping two 500-pound bombs from fighter jets, which resulted in damage to a monastery, a school, and several residential houses. The TNLA has issued warnings to civilians to remain vigilant against the military council’s aerial attacks and to follow proper air raid defense procedures for their safety. The organization emphasized the importance of maintaining constant military awareness and adhering to air defense guidelines to avoid casualties from such deliberate attacks on civilian populations.
