The military conducted aerial bombardments on Chaung Suk village and Shwe Thar Gyi village in Monywa and Chaung-U Townships of Sagaing Region. On August 1, 2023, at 9:30 AM, without any ongoing fighting, the military launched an airstrike on Chaung Suk village in Monywa Township, resulting in the death of one civilian and injuries to at least six others, according to local residents. The airstrike was carried out by a military helicopter from the Northwest Military Command based in Monywa.
During the aerial attack, two bombs were dropped, with one landing near a brick wall beside a tea shop in the village and another striking close to the tea shop itself. A man from Kyikone village, who had come to drink tea, was killed instantly when he was hit by bomb shrapnel, while six other civilians sustained various injuries, as reported by local residents. After attacking Chaung Suk village, the military proceeded to conduct another airstrike on Shwe Thar Gyi village in Chaung-U Township. In Shwe Thar Gyi village, one civilian was wounded, though the injuries were not severe, according to a villager’s confirmation.
Following these airstrikes, the military’s stationed forces at Myapyugyi began firing heavy artillery, forcing residents from both Chaung Suk and Shwe Thar Gyi villages to flee their homes and seek safety as internally displaced persons. The attacks occurred without any prior military engagement in the area, demonstrating the continued use of disproportionate force against civilian populations in the region. The military’s actions have led to further displacement of local communities, adding to the humanitarian crisis in Sagaing Region where civilians continue to bear the brunt of ongoing military operations.
