Airstrike on wedding kills over 20 in Magway Region
Myaing Township residents told DVB that over 20 people were killed by an airstrike carried out by the Burma Air Force on a wedding ceremony in Sonkon village of Myaing Township on Tuesday. Myaing is located 130 miles (209 km) north of the regional capital Magway.
“We are still documenting the exact number of casualties. The military’s aircraft are still flying [overhead],” a People’s Defense Force (PDF) spokesperson told DVB. The PDF, which was hosting a wedding ceremony for one of its members, urged all residents not to gather in groups and to follow air defense measures.
Rescue groups are on the scene of the airstrike in Myaing. The Burma Army launched a counteroffensive against resistance forces in villages located along the Pakokku-Myaing road last month. Regime media has not yet reported the airstrike on Myaing, which has been under resistance control since September.
Pa-O National Army accused of war crimes
Burma War Crimes Investigation accused the pro-military Pa-O National Army (PNA) of committing war crimes against 27 civilians living in southern Shan and Karenni states in its report published on Monday called “The Killing and Detention of Civilians in Southern Shan State, Myanmar.” It stated that five civilians were killed by the PNA from March to November 2024.
A man who escaped PNA detention told the Burma War Crimes Investigation that civilians were taken to a mountain with a sinkhole in Hsihseng Township, located 53 miles (85 km) south of the Shan State capital Taunggyi and 38 miles (61 km) north of the Karenni State capital Loikaw. PNA members then shot and killed two men and pushed their bodies into the sinkhole as others watched.
Hsihseng is located in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State, which includes Hopong and Pinlaung townships. The Pa-O National Organization (PNO), the PNA political wing, signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 1991 with a previous military regime. It has fought alongside current regime forces since the 2021 military coup.
Calls for Thailand to issue arrest warrants against BGF leaders
Justice for Myanmar has called on Thailand’s government to expedite the issuance of arrest warrants sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) against Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF) leaders Saw Chit Thu, Saw Tin Win, and Saw Mote Thone. Saw Chit Thu told DVB that the BGF wasn’t responsible for human trafficking into cyber scam centers located in Myawaddy Township in BGF-controlled areas.
“It is positive that the DSI is investigating three Karen BGF leaders and it is now imperative that the Thai government follow through by applying for arrest warrants. This is a necessary step towards accountability for victims of the Karen BGF’s crimes,” said Yadanar Maung, the Justice for Myanmar spokesperson.
The Thai authorities were called on to address the root cause of cyber scams and human trafficking along its 1,501 mile (2,416 km) long shared border with Burma. Thailand’s DSI Human Trafficking Crime Bureau requested arrest warrants for the three BGF leaders on Feb. 11. Over 1,000 cyber scam suspects were arrested by the BGF in Shwe Kokko on Feb. 18.
News by Region
KACHIN—Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Mansi Township told DVB that they want to return home after fleeing fighting nine months ago. Mansi is located 133 miles (214 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized control of Mansi on Feb. 8.
“We really want to go home if we can,” a Mansi resident told DVB. Fighting between the KIA and the military in Mansi began last March. Mansi residents are not allowed to return to their homes due to the threat of airstrikes and fighting in neighbouring Bhamo.
MANDALAY—The PDF under the National Unity Government (NUG) told DVB that five of its members, including a battalion commander, were killed in fighting against the Burma Army in Taungtha Township on Saturday. Taungtha is located 82 miles (132 km) southwest of Mandalay.
“We regret the loss,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB, adding that the commander of the PDF No. 3 Battalion in Myingyan District, along with four other PDF members, were killed during the attack. The PDF No. 1, 2 and 4 battalions withdrew their forces from Taungtha after the attack.
SAGAING—Kalay Township residents told DVB that a hospital and a monastery in Natchaung and Nwarywar villages were destroyed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Sunday after being hit first on Feb. 14. Kalay is located 111 miles (180 km) west of regional capital Monywa.
“No one was injured in the airstrikes but many homes from Natchaung village were damaged. A market in the village is also shut down indefinitely because of the airstrike,” a Kalay resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
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