Myanmar Military Launches Deadly Air Strikes in Kayah State

Myanmar military launched air and artillery strikes against rebel forces in the country’s east, witnesses, Myanmar Now and an aid group said on Thursday, prompting thousands of people to flee.

In Nan Mei Khon village in Kayah, a state bordering Thailand, the air and artillery bombardment was carried out for the second straight day. The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), one of several militias challenging the junta’s rule, has faced months of resistance from soldiers.

There was no immediate comment from Myanmar’s military council on Thursday, and state media outlets have not mentioned the fighting.

Relief organization Free Burma Rangers shared footage of houses burning in a village with the sound of artillery nearby a day earlier.

David Eubank, the group’s founder, said in a text message that the bombings continued on 24 February 2022, along with mortar attacks and infantry assaults in this area. Thousands fled once more.

According to Eubank, two people were killed and three were injured on Wednesday. Myanmar Now reported that three people were killed in another village by a jet on Wednesday.

According to a KNDF representative, the fighting has been heavy since Wednesday but no casualties have been reported.

Myanmar’s military ruled the country for 50 years until 2011. However, it is having trouble consolidating power. This is because protests in cities, armed conflicts on several fronts, and sanctions against the generals overthrowing a democratically elected government are troubling it this time.

The United Nations estimates that 441,000 people have fled unrest in Myanmar since the coup. The fighting in Kayah state has displaced at least 90,000 people since the coup.

The military has been accused by human rights groups of using excessive force in civilian areas. However, military officials claim they are fighting “terrorists”.

Rescue workers, who declined to be identified for safety reasons, said that heavy bombardment was hampering efforts to move civilians to relief camps.

The rescue worker said, “Thousands of people are stuck.”

The people were attacked by both air and land as well as heavy weapons. We have not yet been able to get them out of the area.”

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