Deadly Junta Airstrikes Kill at Least Ten Civilians Preparing to Flee in Kawkareik, Karen State

April 16, 2025

On the early morning of April 16, 2025, at around 6:00 AM, junta forces launched a deadly attack on Nwar Chan Gone village, near Kyon Doe Town in Kawkareik Township, Karen State. The assault involved jet fighters and heavy artillery shelling, targeting civilians and vehicles preparing to flee the area.

According to local sources, at least ten people were killed, although the exact number of casualties is still being verified due to ongoing junta offensives from both the air and ground in and around the village. The chaotic and dangerous conditions have made it extremely difficult to confirm the full impact of the attack, but early reports indicate the bombing struck directly among fleeing villagers, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. The situation on the ground remains tense and unstable, with continued fear of further strikes.

Witnesses confirmed that junta jets and drones bombed areas where local residents were organizing evacuation plans. Among the dead are a husband and wife whose bodies have been recovered. Others remain buried under debris and have not yet been retrieved.

“One of the victims is Ko Ganan, around 40 years old, and his pregnant wife. They were both killed. They were Hindu. We’ve only been able to recover their bodies so far. At least 14 people were killed in total. Everyone else is still running for safety,” said a local aid worker supporting displaced villagers.

The deadly airstrike occurred during Burma’s New Year Water Festival (Thingyan), when many civilians were gathered in villages and monasteries. The same area had been attacked just a day earlier, on April 15, when the junta bombed Kanni village monastery in Kyon Doe, killing six civilians, including four children between the ages of 3 and 15.

This morning’s attack (April 16) reportedly involved jet fighters and Y12 bomber aircraft, which dropped approximately 15 bombs across multiple locations including Koh Wah Lae, Tharyar Gone, Nwar Chan Gone, and surrounding areas. Homes and farmlands were directly hit, causing severe damage.

“The air force dropped bombs twice in Kyon Doe, and three more times in Kawkareik Township using Y12 aircraft. The bombs hit residential areas. It’s terrifying,” said a local monitoring source.

At the same time, junta troops from Light Infantry Battalions 545 and 546 are reinforcing their bases in Kyon Doe, while troops from LIB 97 are shelling routes near the Asia Highway and the old Daungtaung road, preparing to launch ground operations into Kawkareik Township.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News