On Wednesday, the ruling junta in Myanmar faced condemnation from the United Nations and Western governments for conducting an air raid on a village in Kanbalu township.
Reports suggest that dozens of civilians died in the attack. Some estimates the death toll to be as high as 100.
The head of the UN’s human rights office, Volker Turk, expressed horror at the deadly air strike. He stated that schoolchildren who were performing dances were among the victims.
The UN has demanded that those who carried out the air raid be held accountable for their actions.
In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack by the Myanmar Armed Forces. Also he reiterated his call for an end to the campaign of violence against the population of Myanmar throughout the country. Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, issued the statement.
Washington said it was “deeply concerned” about the air strikes.
“These violent attacks further underscore the regime’s disregard for human life and its responsibility for the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Burma following the February 2021 coup”. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in a statement.
“The United States calls on the Burma regime to cease the horrific violence, allow unhindered humanitarian access. Also to respect the genuine and inclusive democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.”
Tweet From German Foreign Office
Germany’s Foreign Office in a tweet said it “strongly” condemned the strike. They added it expected “the regime to end the violence against its people immediately”.
Myanmar’s National Unity Government, a shadow body dominated by former lawmakers from ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, called the strike a “heinous act”.
“We… share the great pain felt by the families affected by this tragedy,” it said in a statement.
BBC Burmese, The Irrawaddy, and Radio Free Asia, as well as a witness contacted by AFP, reported at least 50 deaths and dozens of injuries.
Late Tuesday night, the junta confirmed that they had conducted the air strike. However they did not disclose the number of casualties.
“There was (a People’s Defence Force) office opening ceremony… Spokesman Zaw Min Tun stated that the air raid on Pazi Gyi village occurred on Tuesday morning at approximately 8 am. He referred to the armed anti-junta groups that have emerged in the country since the military coup that overthrew the elected government in 2021.