Myanmar junta airstrikes reportedly targeted Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) territory in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region, killing around 20 people on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday night, a Harbin Y12 aircraft targeted the ruby town of Mogoke under TNLA control in northern Mandalay Region, killing nine civilians, injuring 13 others and destroying many houses, TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo told The Irrawaddy.
On Tuesday afternoon, a junta jet dropped a 500-pound bomb on a crowded tea shop in Nawnghkio town, killing 11 civilians and injuring 11 others, according to the armed group.
Four houses and vehicles were destroyed.
Lway Yay Oo added that junta airstrikes target civilians despite the armed group offering to attend peace talks.
Pro-junta Telegram channels have been urging the regime to flatten all rebel-held towns in Mandalay and northern Shan State.
The channels praised the airstrikes and said the victims were TNLA fighters and their allies and said Nawnghkio civilians should leave rebel-held towns.
The TNLA has warned civilians to avoid gathering and be alert to further airstrikes.
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing recently returned from the Greater Mekong summit in Kumming with China warning the TNLA to stop fighting the regime or face consequences.
Beijing has blocked border trade and closed crossings in northern Shan State, causing economic hardship for residents, in an apparent effort to stop TNLA attacks on the regime.
Observers say Min Aung Hlaing’s first invitation to China since the 2021 coup has emboldened the regime to escalate atrocities.
The TNLA is a member of the Brotherhood Alliance, whose Operation 1027 has liberated most of northern Shan State, seizing approximately 25 towns and the capital, Lashio.
The junta has escalated airstrikes on liberated territory since August, killing many civilians and destroying infrastructure.
