By Mandy / MPA
The State Administration Council (SAC) Air Force conducted an airstrike on Kawlin Township in Sagaing Region without any ground clashes. Locals argue that this action is a desperate move in response to their loss of control over Pinlebu Town.
According to local sources, the airstrike occurred around 3:30 PM on 8 October 2024, resulting in the deaths of three civilians in Kawlin Township.
“The jet fighter dived and dropped bombs. In the past, they would circle and aim first, but this time, they dropped bombs twice without even aiming,” said a local man from Kawlin who witnessed the airstrike.
The location targeted in SAC Air Force’s airstrike wasKokekokone village, situated along the Shwebo-Myitkyina highway, where civilians displaced by conflicts were taking refuge, according to reports from the area.
“We could tell from the moment the jet descended that it was going to strike. When it fired into the village, we thought we were safe in our hiding spot, but after the jet left, we realized we could no longer stay in the village. There is no guarantee they will not strike again,” said a 55-year-old woman from Kokekokone village.
As a result of the airstrike, three civilians from Kokekokone village were killed and five others were injured. Additionally, three houses and two vehicles were destroyed, according to the No.1 Battalion of People Defense Force – Kawlin District.
“These forces (the military) lost Pinlebu, and now they are desperately trying to intimidate civilians. They are specifically targeting densely populated villages. Civilians will now have to be even more cautious of aerial attacks,” said a member of the local resistance forces in Kawlin Township.
Following the seizure of Pinlebu Town by resistance forces on 8 October and SAC carried out continuous airstrikes around Pinlebu on the same day and into 9 October in retaliation.
In January 2023, SAC also conducted an airstrike in Kokekokone village using Mi-35 helicopters, despite no ground fighting in the area, and later deployed Mi-17 helicopters to reinforce their forces, eventually occupying the village.
Kawlin District includes the towns of Kawlin, Wuntho, and Pinlebu. Resistance forces captured Kawlin Town in November 2023, but SAC regained control through combined air and ground offensives, forcing the resistance to relinquish the town.
Following its loss of several strongholds nationwide, SAC’s military has been increasingly using airstrikes to target populated areas. In September, resistance forces in Kawlin Township warned civilians to be especially wary of aerial threats as the military shifted its focus to densely populated civilian areas after losing multiple military camps.
From September to October, the junta conducted four airstrikes on non-military targets in Kawlin Township, killing 12 civilians and injuring 15 others, according to local sources.
Kokekokone village was one of the first villages in Kawlin Township to launch an armed resistance against the military junta in July 2021.