Myanmar’s junta under General Min Aung Hlaing has launched a campaign of nationwide airstrikes with complete disregard for the safety of civilians and property, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) stated on Monday.
Since General Min Aung Hlaing announced the aerial “counteroffensive” last month, bombings have escalated across the country, with resistance strongholds such as the MNDAA-controlled northern Shan State capital of Lashio facing indiscriminate bombardment, the MNDAA statement said.
According to data released by the MNDAA on Monday, regime fighter jets have attacked the town nine times in the past month, killing six civilians and injuring 77.
On Monday night, a junta airstrike injured nine Lashio civilians and damaged houses in several neighborhoods.
The MNDAA and allied troops seized the junta’s Northeastern Command base in Lashio after a month of fighting on August 3. Regime forces retaliated with artillery and air strikes in a bid to regain control of the town.
The aerial bombardment began in the last week of August and intensified throughout September, the statement said.
The airstrikes have devastated the town, destroying around 15 hotels, plus monasteries, a technological university, schools, several residential areas, markets and civilian property including cars, workshops, and stores, the MNDAA stated.
Airstrikes on Lashio killed one civilian on Sept. 24, two on Sept. 27, and three more on Monday, according to the ethnic army.
It has yet to release precise figures on the number of homes, monasteries, schools, market stalls and civilian property destroyed by regime bombs over the past month.
The junta is escalating its bombing campaign despite on Thursday inviting resistance groups to stop fighting and launch peace talks after three and a half years of conflict. Airstrikes have intensified in the vast swathes of territory lost to ethnic armed revolutionary organizations (EROs) and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) under the civilian National Unity Government (NUG).
The escalation came after Min Aung Hlaing vowed in early September to retake lost territory by attacking towns and villages where resistance forces are stationed.
The MNDAA responded to the ensuing bombardment by calling on China to mediate in the conflict while pledging a ceasefire and shunning cooperation with the NUG.
The statement failed to deter the regime, which has since ramped up its bombardment of the northern Shan capital, leading to a surge in civilian deaths and destruction.
“The bombing of areas liberated by ethnic armed groups is intended to terrorize the residents,” a Lashio resident said on Monday.
Last month, the Air Force launched over 40 airstrikes on civilian targets including cities, towns, schools, markets and relief camps in resistance-held territories, killing over 180 people including at least 15 children.
