In Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, military council troops conducting operations in the area fired heavy weapons at civilian refugees, resulting in the death of one woman and injuries to another, according to a spokesperson from the People’s Defense Force. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM on June 16, when military council troops, who had occupied Thalun Phyu village, launched artillery attacks on civilians without withdrawing from the village.
The artillery strike killed a 40-year-old woman from Thalun Phyu village instantly, while another woman of the same age sustained injuries. Local sources reported that preparations were being made to bury the deceased woman’s body. The military column responsible for the attack included troops stationed at the Ngatapchin Pagoda and soldiers from Light Infantry Division 33, with a total force of approximately 400 personnel. This military column has been conducting operations in the area since May 30 and continued through June 17.
The military council forces have been targeting local civilians indiscriminately, committing human rights violations through their attacks on non-combatants. The ongoing military operations in the Sagaing region have forced many residents to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis as civilians face the constant threat of artillery attacks and violence from military forces. The recent incident highlights the continuing pattern of the military council’s use of heavy weapons against civilian populations, resulting in casualties among innocent residents who have already been displaced by the conflict.
