US Urges Burma Junta to End ‘Horrific Violence’ After Airstrikes Kill Villagers

One of the houses that were destroyed in an airstrike by the military junta in the Khuafo village, located north of the Chin State town of Thantlang, Burma, on March. 30, 2023. (Free Burma Rangers)

The United States on April 11 urged the Burmese military junta to cease its “horrific violence” against civilians after more than 50 villagers were killed in the junta’s latest airstrike in the northwestern Sagaing region.

A junta fighter jet dropped bombs directly onto a house where villagers had gathered for a housewarming ceremony in Pazigyi village, Sagaing’s Kinbalu township, The Irrawaddy reported.

Other reports stated that the building was a new administration building set up by a local people’s defense force that opposes the junta.

The attack reportedly killed 50 people and wounded 30 more, according to The Irrawaddy’s report, while The Associated Press put the death toll at 100. The Epoch Times couldn’t independently confirm the figures.

“At the moment, it’s hard to say exactly how many casualties there were. We haven’t been able to retrieve bodies and body parts, as the area where the airstrike occurred is still burning,” an unnamed resident told The Irrawaddy.

The military junta also launched airstrikes on Webula village in Chin State’s Falam Township on April 10, killing at least seven people and injuring six others, a Free Burma Rangers spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

The spokesperson said that a village pastor died from a heart attack shortly after the attack, and four homes were completely destroyed.

“Another village, Hmunli Village, was also attacked, but the bombs overshot the village and exploded outside the village. No casualties or buildings damaged [reported],” the spokesperson said in an email.

The Epoch Times is unable to independently verify these claims.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed grave concern over the airstrikes and urged the junta to abide by its obligations under international law to protect civilians in Burma (also known as Myanmar).

“These violent attacks further underscore the regime’s disregard for human life and its responsibility for the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Burma following the February 2021 coup,” he said in a statement.

“The United States calls on the Burma regime to cease the horrific violence, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the genuine and inclusive democratic aspirations of the people of Burma.”

Children Feared Among Dead

Volker Turk, the U.N. human rights chief, was “horrified” by the incident and said the victims appeared to include “schoolchildren performing dances” at the opening ceremony.

“A helicopter gunship then reportedly fired on those fleeing the hall,” Turk said in a statement.

“Despite clear legal obligations for the military to protect civilians in the conduct of hostilities, there has been blatant disregard for the related rules of international law.”

Turk called on all parties to take feasible precautions to protect the civilian population from the effects of attacks, such as avoiding locating military objectives within or near densely populated areas.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that the military and its affiliated militias are responsible for an extremely broad range of human rights violations and abuses since Feb. 1, 2021, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes,” he said.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attacks and called for those responsible for the airstrikes to be held accountable, according to a statement released by his spokesman.

‘Worst’ Situation in 30 Years

Burma has been plunged into turmoil since the military junta ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in a February 2021 coup, with violence flaring in several regions as opposition groups clash with the military.

Villagers gathered to mourn the victims killed in a junta airstrike in the Khuafo village, located north of the Chin State town of Thantlang, Burma, on March 30, 2023. (Free Burma Rangers)

David Eubank, founder of the Free Burma Rangers, said the situation in Burma is the worst he has seen in 30 years, with more than 30 airstrikes launched against civilians in Karenni state in February alone.

“I’ve never seen the Burma army come with such speed and force as they have now with Russian aircraft, jet fighters, attack helicopters, armor, multiple launches, rocket systems, and heavy artillery,” he told The Epoch Times on April 1.

Eubank said at least 2.5 million people in Burma had been displaced since the military seized control, with internally displaced persons camps being the targets of many attacks.

“Almost every hiding place was hit by bombers, not military places, [but internally displaced persons] hiding places and also churches and schools, averaging about once a week,” he said.

The report was updated with additional information.