Civilian deaths have increased as a result of military council airstrikes in Chin State, and more than 30 civilians have been killed in 2023, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).
The military council’s forces conducted ground offensives only in the early days, but since the beginning of 2023, the use of airstrikes has increased, leading to an increase in civilian casualties, said Salai Mang Hre Lian, CHRO project director.
“In 2023, 33 civilians were killed in airstrikes by the junta in Chin State. About 80 people were injured, 71 of them civilians. After the military coup, about 80 percent of airstrikes were carried out in Chin State in 2023. The regime conducted nearly 200 airstrikes in Chin State. 21 of them took place before 2023, and 150-160 airstrikes took place in 2023,” he said.
He went on to say that between 2021 and 2022, the military council only carried out more than 20 airstrikes in Chin State, but in the four months from January to April 2023, it carried out more than 150 airstrikes and dropped more than 300 bombs.
In March and April 2023, the junta conducted more than 50 airstrikes using fighter jets, including airstrikes on Khuafo village in Thantlang Township on 30 March, Waibula town in Falam Township on 10 April, Panpar village in rural administrative area 1 in Mindat Township on 16 April, and Tlanglo village in Thantlang Township on 27 April, killing 27 civilians, including children.
Salai Mang Hre Lian claimed that the military regime deliberately targeted both resistance forces and civilians in Chin State.
“If we look at the recent airstrikes, we can see that the junta has deliberately targeted civilians. People are considered part of the resistance forces. This is because the military council believes that the population has enabled the resistance groups to attack the regime’s army. Therefore, the military council considers the population as an enemy. That’s why I think they are deliberately targeting defense forces and civilians without distinction and intensifying the air strikes.”
Currently, Chin defense forces have taken control of all rural areas of Chin State, which includes a total of nine townships, with the exception of the downtown areas. As ground forces have suffered setbacks, the junta has conducted more airstrikes in 2023 than in 2021 and 2022.
Commenting on the Myanmar regime’s increased airstrikes in Chin State, Salai Htet Ni, spokesman for the Chin National Army (CAN), said: “First,” martial law was imposed on the Chin Mountains. Then Min Aung Hlaing said they would take serious action against us because we cooperated with the NUG. They tried to scare us by inflicting atrocities not only on us but also on civilians. The increased use of airstrikes indicates that they are suffering on the ground. Therefore, they continue to use airstrikes excessively.”
According to the CHRO, the Myanmar regime has carried out nearly 200 airstrikes since the 2021 coup until April 2023, killing more than 40 people, including members of the Chin resistance forces.
Currently, clashes between the two sides are taking place daily near Chunkyone village between Falam and Hakha and in areas between Gangaw and Hakha as the regime continues to fly airstrikes in the state.
Sent by KMG.