Mizzima
In southern Shan State’s Pekon Township, locals reported that two men lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries, and an ambulance along with several hospital buildings were damaged during airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar junta on Laei village hospital around 10 am on 22 March.
The casualties were males aged between 16 and 40. A resident of Pekon mentioned that the Military Council conducted the airstrike on the hospital using two jet fighters and dropping eight 500-pound bombs.
An official from the Moebye People’s Defense Force said: “The Military Council launched the airstrike on Laei village hospital despite the absence of any ongoing fighting in the village area at the time. The hospital had only a few guards inside but no patients.”
Reportedly, Laei village hospital ceased admitting patients and only retained some hospital equipment due to concerns about potential airstrikes by the Military Council, as stated by an official from the Moebye People’s Defense Force.
Since 22 January, clashes between the Military Council and the Pa’o National Liberation Army have occurred almost daily in Hsihseng Township and Hopong Township in Southern Shan State.
Likewise, skirmishes between the Military Council Army and the Karenni People’s Defense Forces have persisted nearly every day in Pinlaung and Pekon Townships in Southern Shan State since 9 March.
The Military Council, engaged in conflict nationwide, relies heavily on airstrikes, which unfortunately often result in civilian casualties, affecting schools, hospitals and clinics.
Nyan Lin Thit Analytica, an independent research organization, released a statement on 9 February indicating that since the coup until December 2023, airstrikes conducted by the Military Council have damaged 100 schools, 30 hospitals, and 188 religious-buildings, leading to the deaths of 936 civilians.
