At Least 24 Killed as Myanmar Army Paraglider Drops Bombs on Buddhist Festival Crowd
In a devastating attack, at least 24 people were killed and 47 others wounded when an army paraglider dropped two bombs on a crowd of protesters in central Myanmar. The incident occurred on Monday evening, as around 100 people gathered in Chaung U township to celebrate a national holiday.
According to the government-in-exile spokesperson, the military attacked the crowd with no warning, leaving many dead and injured. "The military attacked on Monday evening as around 100 people gathered for a national holiday," said the spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous. "At least 24 people were killed and 47 wounded while protesting against Myanmar's military government."
This latest attack marks one of hundreds carried out by the military this year against civilians protesting the government. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where thousands have died and millions displaced since the 2021 military coup.
The situation in Myanmar has been dire for years, with the army making significant gains through airstrikes and heavy bombardment. According to a report by the United Nations, over 14,000 people have been killed and more than 700,000 forced to flee their homes since the coup.
"This is just another example of the military's brutal tactics against civilians," said Aung Hlaing, a spokesperson for the National Unity Government (NUG), which has been leading the resistance against the military. "We urge the international community to take immediate action to stop these atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable."
The NUG has accused the military of using increasingly brutal tactics to regain control over the country. The latest attack has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and diplomats around the world.
"This is a tragic reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar," said a spokesperson for the European Union. "We urge the military to immediately cease its attacks on civilians and engage in meaningful dialogue with the NUG."
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for action to stop the violence and bring perpetrators to justice. The United Nations has warned that the situation in Myanmar is reaching a "crisis point," and has urged all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution.
In the meantime, the people of Myanmar continue to suffer at the hands of their own military. As one eyewitness described the scene: "The sound of the bombs was like thunder. I saw people screaming and running for cover. It was chaos."
The incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for democracy in Myanmar, where civilians are fighting against an increasingly brutal military regime.
Background
Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since the 2021 military coup, which triggered a wave of protests and resistance from armed groups and ethnic militias. The military has responded with force, using airstrikes and heavy bombardment to regain control over the country.
Current Status
The situation on the ground remains dire, with thousands displaced and many more at risk of being killed or injured by the military's attacks. The international community is calling for action to stop the violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
Next Steps
As the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar continues to worsen, the international community must take immediate action to address the situation. Diplomats are urging all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution.
Sources:
BBC Burmese
Government-in-exile spokesperson (anonymous)
Aung Hlaing, National Unity Government (NUG) spokesperson
European Union spokesperson
United Nations report
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.
