Kachin, Myanmar: Dozens killed in military airstrikes during celebration event

CNN
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Dozens were killed in military airstrikes targeting a festive event in MyanmarLocal media and international organizations reported that the mountainous Kachin State, Kachin State.

The victims were attending an event, including a concert, held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to mark the 62nd anniversary of the group’s political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization, according to Reuters, citing KIA spokesperson Naw Po.

Reuters and local news outlet The Irrawaddy reported that at least 50 people were killed.

CNN cannot independently verify the number of reported deaths and has reached out to the military for comment.

The Kachin Alliance, a Kachin community organization based in Washington, D.C., said Kachin artists, local elders and KIO leaders were among the dead.

“Following the massacre, families were scrambling for news of their loved ones due to the prolonged internet outage in Hpakant,” the statement said. “We are also interested to know the report on denying medical access to massacre victims.”

Myanmar has been devastated by the conflict since The military council seized power In the coup last February. Since then, rights groups and observers say, freedoms and rights in the country have deteriorated. State executions have resumed, and the number of documented violent attacks by the military on schools has increased.

Many Armed rebel groups appeared, while millions of others continue Resistance to the rule of the military junta Through strikes, boycotts and other forms of civil disobedience.

Myanmar’s shadow government, the Government of National Unity – a group of ousted lawmakers, coup opponents and representatives of ethnic minorities – condemned the attack in a statement on Monday, saying the military “deliberately committed yet another mass murder”.

The statement said the attack “clearly violates international laws such as the provisions of the Geneva Conventions,” and urged the international community and the United Nations “to urgently take effective measures.”

The National Unity Group operates clandestinely or through members abroad, and is seeking recognition as the legitimate government of Myanmar.

Sunday’s attack drew international condemnation, with the United Nations saying it was concerned about reports of more than 100 civilians affected.

“As the United Nations continues to verify the details of this attack, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who were killed or injured. The United Nations calls for urgent medical treatment to be provided to those injured as needed,” she said in a statement on Monday.

It added that the army’s use of “excessive and disproportionate” force against unarmed civilians was “unacceptable” and called on those responsible to be held accountable.

Australian ambassadors, CanadaCzech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, GermanyItaly, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States also issued a joint statement condemning the strike on Monday.

“This attack underscores the military regime’s responsibility for the crisis and instability in Myanmar and the region, and its disregard for its obligation to protect civilians and respect the principles and rules of international humanitarian law,” the joint statement said.

The non-profit Amnesty International said in a statement that the military’s actions – including executing pro-democracy activists, jailing journalists and targeting civilians – had allowed it to continue “in the face of an ineffective international response”.

“As officials and leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) prepare to host high-level meetings in the coming weeks, this attack highlights the need to reform the approach to the crisis in Myanmar,” the statement said, urging ASEAN leaders to take action when they meet for their annual summit in November.