Myanmar junta airstrikes killed more than 60 civilians in six regions and states since January 8 as regime boss Min Aung Hlaing called for peace talks.
Most of the 13 towns targeted are controlled by resistance groups, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army or are being fought over.
Casualties were highest on Ramree Island in Rakhine State, which is controlled by the AA, and in Tanai and Hpakant towns in Kachin State, which the KIA controls.
About 40 people, including children, were killed in Kyauk Ni Maw village on Ramree, according to residents.
The AA reported 26 deaths and 30 injuries, half of them critical. More than 390 houses were destroyed in the airstrikes, the armed group said.
At least 15 people were killed in an airstrike on a gold mine in KIA-controlled Tanai on Saturday. At least seven people were killed in Hpakant in an airstrike after a mudslide that buried more than 70 houses on Monday.
Two women were killed in an airstrike on Hsihseng Township in the Pa-O Self-Administrative Zone in southern Shan State.
The regime bombed Shwe Thaung Yan town in Ayeyarwady Region on January 11-12. The casualty numbers are unknown.
Airstrikes targeted Mogoke, Singu, Madaya and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region, Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State, Bhamo in Kachin State, Kyaukme and Pekon in Shan State and Tanintharyi Region.
Observers say the airstrikes deliberately targeted civilians rather than resistance troops.
KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy that the bombing of Tanai was unprovoked.
A Madaya Township People’s Defense Force member told The Irrawaddy: “They are bombing at random to discourage resistance groups from attacking their bases and advancing on Mandalay. There is no active fighting in Madaya. But they are conducting air and artillery strikes.”
Activist groups are calling on the international community to pressure the regime to halt airstrikes. On January 10, the Blood Money Campaign repeated its call for the international community to cut off the supply of aviation fuel, aircraft and parts to the regime.
Last month, the regime took delivery of the final two of six Su-30 jet fighters from Russia under deals worth US$400 million.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners stated on January 7 that around 100 people were killed by the regime during December, 45 of whom died in junta airstrikes.
