The military junta bombed an internally displaced person (IDP) camp in the western part of Pekon Township, southern Shan State, at around 9pm on 5 September, killing eight people, including children, and some are still missing, according to IDPs.
One IDP recounted, “The plane came for the first time, and we turned off the lights. But since we thought nothing would happen, we turned them back on. The second time, they dropped a 500-pound bomb. Much of the house was destroyed. We’ve found eight bodies so far. Some are still missing. Many were injured because, in IDP camps, the shelters are close together and there are many people. So a of people were affected.”
According to reports, six school-age children and two women over 40 are among the deceased. There are still missing people, and many civilians were injured.
Caption: Scene after the airstrike on Pekon IDP camp.
The IDPs said that at least 20 houses in the camp were destroyed. They report that this area, including the IDP camp and its surroundings, has been targeted by airstrikes seven times before.
The camp houses about 1,000 people, including around 600 children who attend school. The majority of the residents are elderly individuals and school-age children.
This attack claimed the highest number of casualties. The camp hosts displaced people from the towns of Pekon, Mobye, and Loikaw.
On 4 and 5 September, the military junta also bombed Nan Mei Khon town in Demoso Township, causing one death.
Aid workers point out that these airstrikes are targeting civilian areas where there is no active fighting, indicating that the military council is deliberately attacking civilian locations.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times