The People’s Defense Force (Mandalay) has reported that 22 people, including prisoners and suspects, were killed when the military council conducted airstrikes on Letpan Hla police station and Shwe Pan Taw village in Sintguu Township, Mandalay Region. The aerial attack occurred on the evening of July 29, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 21 male and 1 female prisoners and suspects who were either serving sentences or under investigation at the Letpan Hla police station. Additionally, more than 30 people sustained injuries in the attack.
The airstrike on Shwe Pan Taw village also claimed the lives of two innocent civilians – one man and one woman. According to the People’s Defense Force (Mandalay)’s statement, these airstrikes are part of the military council’s ongoing campaign of attacks targeting civilians, representing clear violations of international humanitarian law and constituting war crimes. The military council has been conducting such aerial attacks continuously, deliberately targeting civilian populations.
A local resident from Letpan Hla village testified that there was absolutely no fighting in the area when the aircraft appeared and suddenly began bombing. Human rights observers note that such aerial attacks on civilian populations and prisoners constitute violations of international humanitarian law and can be classified as war crimes. The incident highlights the military council’s continued use of disproportionate force against its own citizens, including detained individuals who were under state custody at the time of the attack.
