In a harrowing turn of events, a Myanmar military fighter jet reportedly targeted a school and hospital in the country’s Sagaing region during the early hours of Wednesday, causing destruction to vital community structures, as reported by The Irrawaddy.
Locals in the region’s Ywar Shae village recounted that the Ywar Shae school and hospital were subjected to two airstrikes at 1.38am, local time.
This came shortly after pro-junta Telegram channels called for attacks on Ywar Shae and neighboring Mae Zali Kone, accusing them of harboring injured resistance fighters.
Fortunately, no civilian casualties were reported in the attack as villagers had evacuated upon hearing the approaching warplane, according to Htoo Khant Zaw, a spokesperson for the local People’s Defense Comrades.
However, the second bomb narrowly missed the hospital but resulted in the destruction of three nearby houses.
Expressing concern, Htoo Khant Zaw stated, “These are not military targets. Moreover, there were no ongoing clashes in the village with People’s Defense Forces.”
Ywar Shae, located in northern Taze Township, has witnessed over 10,000 civilians abandoning their homes due to regime airstrikes and shelling following resistance attacks on junta bases on November 22.
The resistance forces attempted to seize the town’s police station on Wednesday but were compelled to retreat due to frequent junta airstrikes.
The Myanmar military has reportedly conducted at least six airstrikes during the clashes in Taze, with reinforcements of around 70 junta soldiers airlifted from Ye-U Township.
The junta’s bases in Taze town and Artillery Battalion 6006 in Kantbalu are reportedly shelling nearby Taze villages.
Amidst these troubling events, the military regime has sought to strengthen ties with Beijing, emphasizing a “strong and amicable” relationship despite anti-Chinese protests earlier in November.
The junta’s spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, condemned US federal institution the United States Institute of Peace for alleged interference in Myanmar’s domestic affairs.
The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by ongoing cyber scams in Myanmar’s border areas with Thailand and China, prompting China to apply pressure on the junta to address the issue.
Observers note the involvement of China in the region’s dynamics, particularly as the Brotherhood Alliance, comprising ethnic armed groups, gains territorial control in northern Shan State.
As these complex situations unfold, the international community closely watches the deteriorating humanitarian crisis, particularly in the context of the reported targeting of civilians fleeing violence in Laukkai Town.