Myanmar junta airstrikes targeted a village near the China-owned Tagaung Taung nickel-processing factory in Sagaing Region, killing several villagers, according to the Tigyaing People’s Administration.
A jet from Meiktila air base bombed Maung Kone village market in liberated territory, 3km south of the Chinese-owned factory, the group said.
China has major investments in Myanmar, including several mining projects and oil and gas pipelines from the Indian Ocean in Rakhine State to Yunnan Province, crossing Magwe and Mandalay regions and northern Shan State.
Beijing has repeatedly warned all warring parties to protect Chinese assets and citizens in Myanmar.
A junta airstrike on Sunday hit a truck loaded with fuel containers outside a restaurant and other buildings, killing nine civilians and wounding 10 others.
The Tigyaing People’s Administration said the junta was intentionally targeting civilians.
In April, a junta airstrike on Kan Ni village injured seven people.
The area, including the nickel mine, is held by resistance groups. Around 50 regime troops surrendered at the factory in late July.
Resistance groups have since provided security for the nickel operation following an agreement with Beijing. In mid-August, resistance groups liberated nearby Tagaung town in the north of Mandalay Region.
Resistance groups, which include members of ethnic armed organizations, have liberated at least four towns, including Mogoke, a ruby mining hub in northern Mandalay Region.
In July, Mandalay People’s Defense Force seized a junta position at a Chinese-owned Alpha cement factory in Madaya Township near Mandalay city. Retreating regime forces burned cement factory buildings as they fled the attack, the group said.
