A representative from the Pyin Oo Lwin District People’s Defense Force has confirmed that 13 civilians were killed after the military council conducted two separate airstrikes in a single day on two villages in Sagaing Region’s Thabeikkyin Township. The first airstrike was carried out at approximately 10:08 AM on April 18, when a military council fighter jet from the Meiktila Shan Dut Air Base targeted Leikgya village in Thabeikkyin Township. The devastating attack resulted in the immediate death of 13 civilians and left three others severely injured. The airstrike also caused extensive damage to residential buildings and infrastructure within the village.
Later that same day, at approximately 4:36 PM, the military council launched a second airstrike targeting Yaytwut village, also located in Thabeikkyin Township. While there were no reported casualties from the second attack, the bombing caused significant damage to electrical poles and basic infrastructure, according to local residents. Local revolutionary forces and residents have emphasized that these airstrikes deliberately targeted civilian areas rather than military objectives, demonstrating a clear pattern of the military council’s intentional attacks on civilian populations.
Revolutionary groups have pointed out that such deliberate targeting of civilian areas constitutes war crimes and violates international humanitarian law. The attacks have highlighted the military council’s continued use of disproportionate force against civilian populations, with local defense forces noting that none of the targeted locations contained military installations or strategic objectives. The incidents have further demonstrated the military council’s disregard for civilian lives and their systematic use of airpower against their own population, actions that have been consistently condemned by both local and international human rights organizations.
