According to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU) Mutraw District, artillery attacks by the military council forces on villages in Moe Township, Bago Region, have resulted in the death of a 9-year-old child and injuries to five civilians, including two 11-year-old girls. These attacks were carried out by the military council’s Infantry Battalion 351 and Light Infantry Battalion 60 on May 19 and 20.
On May 19, military council forces fired two artillery shells at Nga Htwae Sut village, resulting in injuries to an 11-year-old girl named Naw Tah Do Gay Paw. The attack also destroyed two houses belonging to villagers Saw Moo Law Law and Saw Maung Gay. The following day, on May 20, military forces based at Nat Than Kwin launched artillery attacks targeting numerous villages in the area.
The military council forces fired six artillery shells at Nga Nwa Seik village, Anya Su village, Yin Taik Kone village, and Naung Kone village. They also fired a howitzer shell at farmlands between Yay Let village and Myay Sein Lay village. Additionally, they fired another howitzer shell at farmlands between Zalut and Saw Baw Kone, three artillery shells at Taung Su village, and one artillery shell at Kyet Tet Nyaung Pin village from their position at the Brick Bridge.
As a result of these artillery attacks, two women from Kyet Tet Nyaung Pin village – 53-year-old Daw Ma Ma and 38-year-old Ma Aye Soe – sustained injuries from artillery fire. Furthermore, Light Infantry Battalion 60 fired one 120mm artillery shell at Myay Sein Lay village and six 120mm artillery shells at East Taung Su, West Taung Su, and Kyun Kone villages. These attacks destroyed the home of Naw Moo La Paw in Myay Sein Lay village, causing injuries to 40-year-old Naw Moo La Paw and her 11-year-old daughter Naw Say Pwae Moo. Most tragically, Naw Moo La Paw’s 9-year-old son, Saw Moo Htaw Baw, was killed when struck by artillery fire.
