According to anti-regime groups and residents, at least 17 civilians were killed by junta air and artillery strikes in Monywa, Chaung-U, and Salingyi townships in the Sagaing Region on Wednesday and Thursday.
Over 30 others suffered injuries.
A kid and several women were killed on Thursday afternoon when the junta dropped bombs on communities along the Chindwin River close to the Monywa-Chaung-U border using two paragliders, according to a People's Defense Force (PDF) official in Monywa, reports The Irrawaddy.
The spokesman said that the number of people killed by the junta's artillery and airstrikes throughout the past two days has increased to 17 based on the most recent information.
On Wednesday night, Y-12 aircraft bombing raids were conducted after artillery shelling was fired by Monywa's No 2 Police Station and checkpoints at the town's entrances. Three civilians were killed in an attack on a Chaung-U displacement camp, a member of Monywa District PDF Battalion 4 said.
The bombing raid prompted residents of three villages in Chaung-U Township and at least six villages in Monywa Township to evacuate over night. The bodies of the victims have been recovered. However, because the locals had gone, we were unable to organize a burial for them. Villages are being raided by Junta troops as well," he told The Irrawaddy on Thursday.
At least 50 artillery shells were launched from Junta bases, and over 100 bombs were dropped by the airplanes, killing residents, destroying or damaging buildings, and killing dozens of cattle.
Sagaing Region's capital, Monywa, is home to the Myanmar military's Northwestern Command. Monywa is surrounded by Chaung-U and Salingyi.
Since Brigadier General Myo Min Htwe took over as command in December, the Northwestern Command has been conducting raids on communities in Monywa and nearby townships. Sources claim that since January, more than 200 individuals, including women, have been arbitrarily jailed in Monywa.
"The villages targeted by the airstrikes are at least four kilometers apart," said a Chaung-U Township resident. They are specifically going after civilians. The attack's worst aspect was that it specifically targeted a camp for displaced people. It was a deliberate war crime.
As the dictatorship conducted airstrikes and about 100 junta troops assaulted communities, over 10,000 residents of at least ten villages in the townships of Monywa, Chaung-U, and Salingyi were forced to evacuate.
"This morning, planes were passing over villages. We didn't sleep the night before we fled. Numerous cattle were slain, and we have left them behind. On Thursday morning, a resident of Monywa told The Irrawaddy, "Nyaungphyubin and Thitseint were hit hardest."
Residents of Monywa reported hearing warplanes and artillery bombardment all night long.
