Myanmar junta accused of targeting civilians as air strike intensify in Magway

By Hlaing / MPA

Five civilians, including two children, have been killed after a military fighter jet bombed a village in Myanmar’s central Magway region on Thursday, local sources have told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA).

Residents of Mi El village in Saw Township said two 500lb bombs were dropped on the community at approximately 17:00 local time on 5 February.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attack was unprovoked, noting that no active fighting was taking place in the area when the jet, believed to have originated from the Magway Airbase, struck.

“The jet fighter came up from Magway and dropped two 500lb bombs,” a local man familiar with the situation on the ground told MPA.

“There were no clashes happening. Because the houses in Mi El are clustered close together, the destruction is extensive. Currently, we can confirm five female victims, including two children, have died, and about five others are injured.”

Residents identified the victims as Daw Han Kyi, Daw Khin Moe Moe Khine, Daw Phyu Phyu Win, Ma Su Nadi Lwin, and Ma Hnin Thiri Lwin. Numerous homes in the village were also destroyed in the blast.

Villagers described a climate of fear preceding the attack, citing increased surveillance by military aircraft in the region.

“Scout planes come every night,” a local woman said. “They circle for at least half an hour. Once they leave, the bombers usually follow. We saw a scout plane yesterday as well. Everyone is having to be extremely vigilant about air raids.”

The strike on Mi El appears to be part of a wider escalation in aerial bombardments across the Gangaw District.

Just a day prior, on the night of 4 February, a fighter jet reportedly from the Tada-U Airbase bombed an area in the northeast of neighbouring Htilin Township.

Local resistance groups have warned that the military is conducting intentional airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling in the Yaw region, Pakokku District, and parts of Chin State, despite the absence of ground battles. They have urged civilians in these areas to exercise extreme caution.