Following Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s return from China on 10 November, Myanmar’s junta launched deadly airstrikes almost daily, resulting in the deaths of at least 51 civilians, including children, and injuring over 120 others, according to data collected by Mizzima’s ground team.
The airstrikes, which occurred between 10-17 November, targeted 18 townships across northern Shan, Kachin, and Rakhine States, as well as Sagaing and Magway Regions.
Significant airstrikes included those on Mogok Township on 11 November, Naungcho Township on 12 November, Momauk Township’s Kone Law village on 15 November, and Gwa township on 13 November, resulting civilian deaths.
It has become more and more clear that China is increasingly backing the junta since Lashio was captured. The junta has increased airstrikes in northern Shan State over the course of the five or six months since June, according to an official of the northern Shan State-based Human Rights Action Network.
“Our civil society organizations and international organizations have been calling attention to the airstrikes, but the junta paid no regard to this. As a result, we consider that they [the junta] are overly dependent on China. We think that the junta is utilizing existing weapons that they already possess, like obtaining a license,” he said.
Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) spokeswoman, Lway Yay Oo said, “At this time, we can say that the junta is targeting local civilians who are residing in areas where clashes are not occurring and their airstrikes are targeting civilian areas.”
The TNLA is exploring available ways for early warning and air defence in the townships under TNLA-control, she continued.
Since August, China has pressured the Northern Brotherhood Alliance to halt Operation 1027 Part 2 in northern Shan State and has closed border crossings in Kachin and northern Shan states since October.
During his first visit to China since the 2021 coup, Min Aung Hlaing accused the Northern Brotherhood Alliance of violating the Haigen agreement mediated by China. Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed support for Myanmar’s political reconciliation and transition efforts.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, the junta spokesperson, was quoted in junta-controlled newspapers on 11 November as saying that the junta leader’s visit to China was successful.
