Junta Airstrike on Monastery in Kanni Village, Kawkareik Township Kills Six, Including Four Children

April 16, 2025

An airstrike launched by the Junta’s Yak-130 fighter jet on April 15, 2025, struck a monastery in Kanni village, Kyon Doe town, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, killing six civilians, including four children between the ages of 3 and 15. According to field documentation by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), the attack occurred between 11:50 AM and 12:10 PM.

The victims were identified as:

Mi Kyae Kyae Mon, age 3
Minn Kon Blai, age 3
Minn Linn Pyae Aung, age 9
Mi Poe Phyu Zin, age 15
Ko Myo, age 34
Mi Thein Shin, age 76

In addition to the six fatalities, at least 20 people were injured, including seven civilians, eight novice monks, and two monks. Eyewitnesses reported that many of the injured were in critical condition.

“It was heartbreaking. Four children died on the spot. The jet dropped around three dozen bombs indiscriminately. Before the bombing, a surveillance aircraft had circled the area. About 30 minutes later, the Yak-130 came and dropped bombs directly on the monastery, followed by missile fire,” said a local from Kanni.

The Kanni attack took place amid intensified clashes near the town of Kyon Doe. The Junta’s Infantry Battalions 545 and 546 were reported to have simultaneously launched heavy artillery attacks on nearby villages, including Kanni, Mi Galon, Taung Kanmayike, Thamein Dut, Naung Taman, Win Pya, Koh War Lae and Yaepu Gyi villages. These were deliberate assaults on civilian areas, according to a statement released by the local Mon Armed Force.

“On one side, we’re mourning the loss of our cultural New Year celebrations, which we couldn’t even hold properly.

On the other hand, we’re still recovering from the trauma of the earthquake, trying to find ways to survive through the hardship.

And then there’s the ongoing war—people are fleeing, getting killed, and everything they had is being destroyed. All of this suffering is because of the Junta forces. One day, they must be held accountable for what they’ve done. Justice must be served for every victim. Right now, many of us IDPs are preparing to move toward Mawlamyine in search of safety.”

Eyewitnesses and military analysts have observed that the Junta in Mon State and across the country is increasingly shifting its warfare tactics from ground assaults to indiscriminate air attacks. They use jet fighters to bomb areas they suspect of harboring resistance forces. Tragically, civilians—including children—continue to pay the price for these reckless campaigns.

According to local sources, the Junta appears to be positioning Mawlamyine Airport as a key military airbase. From there, they’ve launched regular airstrikes on nearby townships such as Kyaikmayaw, Kyainnseikyi, Kawkareik, Thanbyuzayat, and occasionally even Ye. These strikes often target civilian areas without any active fighting on the ground.

The Yak-130 aircraft used in the attack is a subsonic, two-seat advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft. At least two Yak-130s are reportedly kept on constant standby at the Mawlamyine airbase.

Military experts and local analysts warn that such attacks may become even more frequent as the Junta pushes ahead with plans for a sham election in December 2025. They are using violence to secure and expand territorial control before the polls.

HURFOM urges the international community to take immediate and decisive action. The use of airstrikes on civilian targets must not be normalized. Protective measures must be established, and perpetrators of these grave crimes must be held accountable.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News