Dozens of civilians were killed and many more injured after the Myanmar military reportedly carried out an airstrike on a Buddhist festival in the Sagaing Region. The attack, which utilized a paraglider to drop bombs, targeted a crowd gathered for a local religious celebration.
CHAUNG-U, MYANMAR – Dozens of civilians were killed and many more injured after the Myanmar military reportedly carried out an airstrike on a Buddhist festival in the Chaung-u Township of Sagaing Region on Wednesday. The attack, which utilized a paraglider to drop bombs, targeted a crowd gathered for a local religious celebration, according to eyewitnesses and local reports.
The incident occurred in the late afternoon as residents were participating in a traditional festival. Witnesses described seeing a motorized paraglider flying low over the area before multiple projectiles were dropped into the densely packed gathering. The bombs detonated on impact, causing widespread panic and significant casualties among the attendees, including women and children.
“The sky was clear, then suddenly, the sound of an engine, and bombs fell onto the crowd,” recounted Maung Kyaw, a survivor who witnessed the attack from a nearby stall. “People were celebrating, praying, and in an instant, it became a scene of absolute horror. Bodies were everywhere, and the cries were unbearable.”
Local aid groups and medical volunteers rushed to the scene to assist the wounded, but the remote nature of the location and ongoing security concerns hindered immediate response efforts. Initial reports suggest that the death toll has climbed above 50, with many critically injured individuals being transported to makeshift medical facilities.
Context of Ongoing Conflict
The attack comes amid a brutal conflict that has gripped Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021. The ruling junta, known as the State Administration Council (SAC), has faced widespread armed resistance from People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations across the country. Sagaing Region, in particular, has been a hotbed of resistance activity, leading to frequent and often indiscriminate reprisal attacks by the military against civilian populations.
The use of aerial bombardment has become a hallmark of the military’s strategy to suppress dissent, with human rights organizations repeatedly documenting instances of airstrikes on villages, schools, and medical facilities. While fighter jets and helicopters are typically employed, the alleged use of a paraglider in this incident represents a potentially new, albeit less conventional, tactic by the junta forces.
The international community has condemned the military’s actions in Myanmar, with calls for an end to violence and the protection of civilians. However, the junta has largely ignored these appeals, continuing its military operations and consolidating its control through force.
Details regarding the exact type of ordinance dropped and the specific unit responsible for the paraglider operation remain unconfirmed. Independent verification of casualty figures is challenging due to restrictions on information flow and access to conflict zones.
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