The Karen National Union (KNU) Central has reported that two civilians were killed when the military council conducted an airstrike on Thablu Khoh Kee village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, despite there being no active fighting in the area. The attack occurred around 11:30 AM on March 19, when a Yak-130 fighter jet from the Naypyidaw-based air force deliberately bombed the village.
The airstrike resulted in the immediate deaths of two male civilians – one aged 36 and another aged 30 – who were residents of Thablu Khoh Kee village. The attack also completely destroyed one residential house and a storage facility. The KNU Central emphasized that the military council is deliberately targeting non-military objectives, including religious buildings, hospitals, schools, and civilian residential areas.
These airstrikes against civilian populations constitute violations of international humanitarian law and could be classified as war crimes. The military council is systematically targeting innocent civilians, causing widespread fear and security concerns among local residents. Local sources report that inhabitants of the area are living in constant fear and anxiety about their safety. The military council’s continued targeting of civilian infrastructure and populations demonstrates a pattern of deliberate attacks against non-military targets, causing significant humanitarian concerns in the region.
