A school in Zarapkwin village, Sadaung Township, Mandalay Region, has been severely damaged by an airstrike conducted by the military council forces, as confirmed by officials from the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay). The aerial attack, which occurred at 1:30 PM on September 9, targeted civilian infrastructure in the village despite there being no active fighting in the immediate area. The spokesperson for the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay), Ko Aung Mon, detailed the incident, explaining that while there had been ongoing conflicts in the surrounding areas of Zarapkwin village, no fighting was taking place within the village itself.
According to Ko Aung Mon, the school had been closed for an extended period and was not operational at the time of the attack. While the airstrike caused significant damage to the school buildings, fortunately, there were no civilian casualties reported in this incident. The military council’s targeting of civilian infrastructure, particularly schools, hospitals, and residential areas, has become a recurring pattern of violence. The People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) has documented numerous instances of such aerial attacks on civilian targets, highlighting the military council’s systematic targeting of public facilities and civilian infrastructure.
The military council’s continued attacks on civilian targets represent clear violations of international humanitarian law and pose serious threats to civilian safety and basic human rights. The deliberate targeting of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and residential areas demonstrates a concerning pattern of disregard for civilian welfare and international protocols regarding the conduct of military operations. These attacks have not only resulted in the destruction of vital community infrastructure but have also significantly impacted the ability of local communities to access essential services, including education and healthcare. The People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) continues to document and report these incidents, emphasizing the urgent need for international attention to the ongoing crisis and the protection of civilian populations in conflict-affected areas.
