Two civilians were injured when the military council’s forces conducted an unprovoked aerial bombing on Nyaungpingyi village in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, dropping two 500-pound bombs, according to the Khin-U Township Information Team. The incident occurred around 12:30 AM on March 3, 2024, targeting the village located in the southwestern part of Khin-U Township, which has over 300 households. The aerial attack was carried out without any ongoing fighting in the area, demonstrating the military’s deliberate targeting of civilian areas.
During the airstrike, an elderly couple in their 70s sustained injuries from bomb shrapnel, though their conditions are not life-threatening. Local sources report that the military council has increasingly relied on aerial attacks as their ground forces have lost the ability to conduct effective operations in many areas. These indiscriminate attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of private property. The military’s shift to aerial warfare reflects their diminishing control over territory and their willingness to target civilian populations despite the absence of military targets.
The Khin-U Township Information Team has issued warnings to local residents to avoid large gatherings, celebrations, or events that might attract attention. They have also strongly advised families to construct individual bomb shelters to protect themselves from aerial attacks. This comes in the context of previous violence in the area, including the burning of civilian homes by military forces in January. The military council’s escalating use of airstrikes represents a concerning pattern of violence against civilian populations, with local communities facing both the threat of ground attacks and aerial bombardment. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by civilians in Myanmar’s conflict areas, where they must constantly prepare for potential military attacks while trying to maintain their daily lives.
