A devastating attack on a refugee camp in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin has claimed the lives of at least 29 people, with children and older individuals among the casualties. The assault, allegedly carried out by Myanmar’s junta, represents one of the most lethal attacks on civilians since the military coup in 2021.
Details surrounding the attack remain unclear, as reports vary on whether warplanes dropped bombs or if drones and artillery were employed. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is conducting an investigation into the nature of the strike.
Images from local media depict the refugee camp with ongoing rescue operations. According to the Kachin Human Rights Watch, 13 children lost their lives, and 60 individuals sustained injuries. At present, 42 people are receiving treatment at a hospital in Kachin state.
The Kachin region has been a battleground since the military takeover last year, resulting in persistent conflict between rebel groups, ethnic minority militias, and junta forces. While the KIA and human rights organizations hold the junta responsible for the attack, the military has stated that it is “investigating” the reports. The junta, in turn, has accused rebel groups in the area and suggested that an explosion was triggered by a rebel-owned bomb cache.
Responding to the tragic incident, the United Nations in Myanmar emphasized on Facebook their deep concern over the reports and underlined that “civilians should never be a target.”
