Framing its aerial bombardment of civilians as a peace initiative, the Myanmar regime continued aerial attacks across five regions and states over the weekend, killing over two dozen civilians.
Addressing humanitarian concerns raised in the media over the targeting of civilians, newly appointed Defense Minister Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, who is also chair of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC), claimed that the current military operations—a reference to the bombing of civilians in resistance-held territories—were conducted in the pursuit of peace.
He made the remark at the closing ceremony of an event marking the 11th anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Naypyitaw on October 16.
At the event, the regime again called on ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to join its purported peace talks while encouraging the People’s Defense Force (PDF), the armed wing of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), to surrender.
Meanwhile, from October 16-18, the regime bombed civilian targets in Magwe, Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Rakhine and Chin states, killing at least 27 people and injuring 11, according to media reports.
On Friday evening, regime aircraft bombed a Starlink-based WiFi shop in Thitgyitaw Village in Yesagyo, Magwe Region. The attack on the shop, which locals rely on to bypass the regime’s restrictions and access the internet, killed at least 12, including two children aged 1 and 10, and injured two, the NUG said on Sunday.
The number of casualties was likely to increase as bomb damage was making it difficult to determine the number and identities of the dead, the NUG’s Human Rights Department said.
“This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime,” it said.
The operation was carried out by two Russian-made Mi-35 attack helicopters, two fighter jets from Magwe and Nyaung Oo, and two drones from the Pakokku-based No. 101 Light Infantry Division, the NUG said.
However, local media reported that at least 15 civilians were killed in the incident.
On the same day, the regime bombed Magyikan Village in Sagaing’s Myaung, injuring one.
The regime’s airstrikes continued on Sunday, as Y-12 utility aircraft bombed Arakan Army (AA)-controlled ethnic Rakhine villages in Rathedaung. Wai Hun Aung, a prominent ethnic Rakhine writer and aid worker, said five people were killed.
The regime also bombed a jetty in AA-controlled Paletwa, Chin State, on the same day, resulting in 20 casualties according to media reports, though there has been no official statement yet.
A regime drone attacked Shwebayet Village in Mandalay’s Singu Township on October 18, killing three people and injuring four women and girls, including a 5-year-old, the Singu People’s Defense Force reported on Monday.
Three regime gyrocopters bombed Ohntaw Village in Magwe’s Pakokku Township on Sunday, killing five including children and senior citizens. Local media reported that four were injured, including a 2-year-old.
At the NCA anniversary event, regime leader Min Aung Hlaing invited 2015 signatories that have been fighting the Myanmar military since the 2021 coup—the Karen National Union, Chin National Front and All Burma Students’ Democratic Front—to join his peace process. The regime demands that the PDFs surrender.
Lt-Gen Yar Pyae insisted the aerial bombing was conducted for peaceful purposes. “Some parts are military actions, while others are steps to achieve peace,” Yar Pyae said.