According to a statement from a Seven People Defence Force (SPDF) official, the military council conducted two airstrikes on Man Cho village in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, around 9 AM on May 12, despite there being no active fighting in the area. The unprovoked aerial attack resulted in the immediate death of two women in their 40s and left seven civilians injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The devastating attack also destroyed three civilian homes in the village.
Among those injured, one person’s condition is reported to be critical and remains under close medical observation. SPDF officials have urged local residents to construct bomb shelters for protection against future airstrikes by the military council. Following the aerial bombardment, military council troops stationed in Chaung-U town fired heavy artillery seven times at Man Cho village and its surrounding areas, though no additional casualties were reported from this subsequent attack.
These attacks by the military council against civilians constitute violations of international human rights laws and war crimes. The deliberate targeting of civilian areas, particularly aerial bombardment of locations where there is no active conflict, demonstrates the military council’s continued commission of war crimes. Local residents are advised to remain vigilant for their safety and are strongly encouraged to prepare bomb shelters as soon as possible to protect themselves from future aerial attacks. The military council’s actions continue to show a pattern of deliberate violence against civilians, with no regard for human life or international humanitarian law.
