FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Nearly 4,000 people have been killed in Burma since the 2021 military coup, states the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Ten civilians were killed on June 27 in an airstrike on Nyaung Kone village, located in Pale Township of Sagaing Region. “It was heartbreaking for everyone,” said an unnamed Nyaung Kone resident. Two injured children are still in hospital. Nyaung Kone villagers said that they flee their homes whenever they hear the sound of planes in the sky.
The National Unity Government (NUG) wants to hold the military accountable for its crimes against humanity. “We have recorded every crime the Burma Army has committed since 2021. The NUG will cooperate with all international courts to work to ensure justice for all the people in Burma, including the Rohingya,” said Aung Kyaw Moe, the NUG deputy human rights minister.
The NUG claims that the Burma Army has committed a total of 144 massacres, killing 1,595 people. Human rights experts estimate that the actual number of killed may be higher. DVB was unable to reach military regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun for a response. The regime claims that more than 700 civilians were killed by the NUG and its armed wing, the People’s Defense Force (PDF), so far this year.
On April 11, 168 people were killed in airstrikes on Pazigyi village of Kanbalu Township in Sagaing Region. To date, this is the largest mass casualty attack carried out by the military. Last October, an airstrike on a concert held by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO/KIA) killed over 50 people.
On Dec. 24, 2021, at least 49 people were burned to death by the Burma Army near Muso village of Hpruso Township in Karenni State. “It is undeniable that the Burma Army is committing war crimes in Karenni State. We can say there were women and children in that massacre,” said a spokesperson from the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF).
The Women’s League of Burma (WLB) states that the Burma Army has killed 600 women over the last two years, and it uses sexual assault and rape as a weapon of war. “Such crimes happen a lot and there is no mechanism that protects women at this time. We need to put an end to the practice of impunity for these acts of terrorism that are being carried out by the military,” said Nan Moh Moh, the WLB secretary general.
