Junta Air Assault Kills 20 Civilians and Injures Many in Kyaikmayaw

July 24, 2024

HURFOM: At approximately 10 am on July 19, 2024, the military junta dropped bombs on a village monastery located at the road junction between Nga Pu Inn and Hlaw Sin Gone villages in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State. This air assault resulted in the deaths of more than 20 civilians and injured numerous residents.

The local villagers, along with members of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF), were preparing for the “Warso Saffron” donation when the junta dropped five bombs, believed to be 500-pound bombs, on the monastery.

The explosion killed over 20 civilians and ten resistance fighters, with the exact number of injured villagers still unconfirmed. Local rescue teams are currently searching for missing villagers and providing emergency assistance.

“The village was peaceful, and there was no armed conflict. People were cooking at the monastery for the ‘Warso Saffron’ donation on Full Moon Day. The KNLA and PDF members were also present. At that moment, the junta dropped bombs, resulting in numerous casualties. Additionally, houses and cars were damaged,” reported a local source.

Following the air assault, residents from nearby areas fled their homes in fear of further attacks.

The KNLA and its ally, the PDF, control many areas in Kyikemayaw Township. In response, the military junta has frequently launched air and artillery assaults on these regions.

The junta’s aggressive military campaigns have led to severe human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians in southeastern Myanmar. The Karen National Liberation Army and the People’s Defense Force have been at the forefront of resisting the junta’s control, leading to frequent clashes and military operations. Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated, with many residents displaced and in urgent need of aid. (*Please use BlackandWhite photo only. hide the victim body and face)

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News