The National Unity Government (NUG) reports mounting evidence of an increase in civilian casualties from aerial bombardments, as the terrorist Military Council faces setbacks on political, military, and diplomatic fronts.
U Kyaw Zaw, the spokesperson for NUG, asserted that the Junta forces are intentionally directing airstrikes and artillery shells towards civilian locations.
"As the resistance forces chalk up more mark successes on the battlefield, and expand areas under their control, the Military Council's control steadily diminishes. With a reduction of tactical operation command bases, the Junta increasingly resorts to artillery barrages and airstrikes. It is clear that they are ruthlessly targeting civilian locations with escalating brutality”, U Kyaw Zaw said.
U Kyaw Zaw emphasized that military personnel involved in criminal activities, issuing orders, and obeying commands, will face arrest and prosecution in due course. He highlighted the commitment to pursuing legal actions based on existing domestic laws and expressed intentions to initiate proceedings in international courts. Despite potential delays in the administration of justice, U Kyaw Zaw assured that perpetrators will ultimately face consequences and be held accountable for their actions.
"Recently, we witnessed the horrifying bombing of a school in a Kanan village, resulting in the destruction of the church as well. Bombs were dropped on innocent civilians' homes while they were engaged in worship. Equally distressing is the tragic incident in Wuntho Township, where 19 civilians were mercilessly arrested and brutally killed. These acts of violence, carried out using artillery batteries and airstrikes, demonstrated a complete disregard for human life. I want to emphasize that all individuals involved in perpetrating these crimes, whether they are giving orders or carrying them out, will be diligently pursued, apprehended, and prosecuted in due course”, he stated.
On January 7th, in the morning hours, the Junta conducted airstrikes on Kanan Village, located in Tamu Township in Tamu District, Sagaing Division. On January 9th, NUG released a statement announcing a catastrophic bomb attack on a village where civilians had congregated for a Sunday church service. The attack resulted in numerous casualties and injuries among the innocent civilian population.
According to NUG, as of the date of the statement, a total of 17 people, including 9 children between the ages of 5 and 17, have been tragically killed, and 19 others have been injured.
Based on reliable information and statistics collected by the NUG until December 31st, 2023, it has been determined that since the day the terrorist Military Council, led by Min Aung Hlaing, staged the coup, a tragic total of 627 children under the age of 18, and 1,017 women have lost their lives.
The statement also highlighted that a total of 583 attacks have been launched on innocent communities using airstrikes. These assaults have led to the loss of 897 innocent civilian lives and the destruction of 76 religious structures and 52 schools.
