Myanmar’s military junta launched a series of airstrikes on villages near the Latpanto oil field, situated at the border of Myaing and Pauk townships in Magway Region, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring dozens, according to the Anyar Myae resistance coalition.
The attacks took place between 1:00 am and 2:00 am on 3 March, with junta forces conducting eight airstrikes, an official from the resistance coalition told Mizzima.
“At this time, we cannot confirm whether women and children were among the casualties. However, four of the victims were villagers from Baung Bin in Myaing Township, while the rest were oil field workers,” the official said.
The junta deployed Y-12 aircraft and jet fighters to bomb multiple locations, including a rice field near Taw Ywar village, a monastery in Nyaung Gone village, areas near Sate Chay and Gyouk Gone villages, and Baung Bin village, which was hit twice. Additionally, a jet fighter bombed an area close to Suu Win village and another near Latpanto village in Pauk Township.
At least 30 people sustained injuries, while buildings and equipment used in the oil field were damaged, the resistance coalition reported. The group has launched an area clearance operation, identified victims and transported the wounded to medical facilities.
“At the moment, we have been carrying out the area clearance operation, attempting to identify the victims, and transferring the injured to the hospital,” the official said.
Images released by the Anyar Myae resistance coalition showed bodies with amputated limbs.
Locals are quite concerned and are currently escaping to safety from their houses as a result of the junta’s airstrikes that targeted the villages on the outskirts of Myaing and Pauk townships, according to a local resident.
“In fear of further attacks, villagers are temporarily evacuating,” a resident confirmed.
The resistance coalition continues to warn communities about the risk of aerial assaults while assisting the affected families.
This incident follows a separate airstrike on 25 February, when the junta targeted a wedding ceremony in Song Gone village, also in Myaing Township, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring 20 others.
