Myanmar Military Kills More Than 100 People In A Single Attack

On April 11, 2023, the Myanmar military is said to have killed at least 100 people in one of the deadliest airstrikes in the ongoing civil war. The attack targeted a village in the north-western Sagaing region. Witnesses report that among those killed were many women and children. The numbers of those killed are yet to be confirmed as the bodies are being collected. Reportedly, the military attacked the village as hundreds of people gathered in Pazigyi Village to celebrate the opening of a local administration office, where tea and food were offered. The opening coincided with the start of the Thingyan New Year celebrations. Just before 8 AM, a junta aircraft bombed the village. Eyewitnesses reported that this was followed by a Mi35 helicopter circling and firing on the village minutes later.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, called for the protection of civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law, and for those responsible to be held accountable. U.N. Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, condemned the attack stating that “It appears schoolchildren performing dances, as well as other civilians, attending an opening ceremony at the hall in Pazi Gyi village, Kanbalu Township were among the victims. A helicopter gunship then reportedly fired on those fleeing the hall.” He repeated his concerns that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the military and its affiliated militias are responsible for human rights violations and abuses which may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The military has been resorting to air strikes against their opponents since they seized power in February 2021. On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military, the Tatmadaw, staged a coup and took over Myanmar. What followed can only be described as a brutal crackdown to suppress opposition to its rule, including mass killings, torture, and sexual violence. Thousands of people have been killed across Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. The crackdown on human rights defenders and the opposition in the country was followed by an increase in arbitrary detentions and criminal proceedings, especially targeting protesters, journalists, lawyers, health workers, and political opposition. Many of them have been, and are currently being, denied their right to a fair trial as per international standards.

Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) reported that between February 2021 and January 2023, the military was involved in at least 600 attacks. ACLED commented that in 2022, “the military junta has used discriminate violence to target civilians accused of supporting anti-coup activities, as well as indiscriminate violence against civilians across the country. At the same time, the military has increased its use of airstrikes and shelling targeting civilians, continuing such actions into the new year.” ACLED further added that “the military’s increased procurement of combat aircraft from Russia and China in recent years has facilitated their growing reliance on airstrikes to quell opposition to their rule. Outside of Ukraine, the highest number of battles globally were recorded in Myanmar in 2022.” Looking into 2023, they commented that “The military’s refusal to relinquish power and the severe violence they continue to direct at civilian populations to keep that power means they are unlikely to adhere to any promises of reform. With the military’s ongoing targeting of those who resist its rule, 2023 will likely be a year of even further violence in Myanmar.”

The deadly attacks continue despite several calls from the international community to address the issue. For example, in December 2022, the U.N. Security Council called for the immediate end to all forms of violence in Myanmar and urged restraint, the de-escalation of tensions and the release of all prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Unfortunately, four months later, there has been no palpable change. As long as the military is in power in Myanmar, violence will continue and civilians will continue to be targeted. The last two years of the military in power are the very evidence of that.