There have reportedly been at least 60 fatalities and about 100 people injured from an air raid on rebels that was directed against one of Myanmar’s largest ethnic groups.
Updates from Kachin State
Dozens of people, including civilians, have been killed as a result of airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on a celebration conducted by a well-known ethnic rebel group.
According to Colonel Naw Bu, “two military jets from Myanmar assaulted” the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) event that took place in Kachin state on Sunday.
Colonel Naw Bu said, “approximately 50 people were killed, including KIA members and civilians,” and “about 70 people were injured.”
Claims of KIA spokesperson and witnesses
But later the media reported that over 60 people were killed and about 100 were injured in the attack on the first day of the three-day celebration of the foundation of the Kachin Independence Army, according to a KIA spokesperson, who spoke to the media through phone.
The festival included a concert. Witnesses in Kachin State, said that three bombs were dropped by aircraft on the concert that the KIA had planned in Kansi village.
No notice was given before the air raid on rebels, according to the villagers. The Kansi concert was held to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the rebel army’s fight for independence.
Four bombs were dropped on the celebration by military aircraft, according to the sources of the KIA spokesperson who were present. A Kachin vocalist and keyboardist were among the deceased. The KIA spokesperson requested not to be named because he was afraid of repercussions from the authorities. Between 300 and 500 people were present in the concert, according to the news agencies.
Military Coup in Myanmar using Air Raid on Rebels
There has been continuous fighting before and after the military coup last year that toppled the Aung San Suu Kyi-led civilian government.
The military may have launched this air raid on rebels as a warning since the Kachin militants had been supporting other rebel forces in Myanmar.
Since a military takeover in February 2021, which led to nationwide protests, Myanmar has been experiencing political turmoil. Armed civilian troops were organized nationwide as a People’s Defense Force to oppose military rule after the army and police killed protesters who were against it.
The rights group “Assistance Association for Political Prisoners,” which records killings and human rights abuses in Myanmar, says that since the coup, at least 2,370 individuals have died and more than 15,900 have been jailed. Heavy warfare broke out following last year’s military takeover. The KIA has been engaged in frequent combat with the military for decades.
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