Around 10 civilians were killed in an unprovoked junta airstrike in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State on Saturday, the ethnic Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported.
A junta aircraft dropped two 500-lb bombs on No. 8 Ingyintaung ward in Kyaukme at around 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, destroying or damaging more than 20 houses and inflicting multiple casualties.
One resident told The Irrawaddy in the aftermath of the incident that seven civilians were killed, but the actual number of fatalities could be higher. Women and children were reportedly among the victims. The Irrawaddy has been unable to obtain updates.
“The bombing raid caused heavy damage. Some buildings were reduced to ashes,” he said.
The neighborhood hit by the bombing raid is crowded with low-income families, and is also home to a nunnery school, according to residents.
The TNLA on Nov. 25 announced it is ready to engage in peace talks with the regime, expressing concern about the widespread civilian suffering amid ongoing clashes and deadly junta airstrikes in northern Shan State.
Despite the TNLA’s offer, the regime has continued its deadly airstrikes on territories controlled by the TNLA.
Operation 1027 saw the TNLA capture 11 towns in northern Shan State—Namhsan, Mongton, Kutkai, Mongngaw, Namtu, Namhkam, Monglon, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Mongmit and Hsipaw—as well as Mogoke in Mandalay Region
TNLA spokeswoman Lwei Yay Oo said: “Our stance remains unchanged. The regime has been targeting non-military targets, especially residential areas.”
The TNLA captured Kyaukme during the second phase of Operation 1027 in August. The regime started bombing the town as residents returned after initially fleeing the fighting.
