Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) said an airstrike by regime forces had killed at least 17 students and injured 20 others at a school in an resistance-controlled area on Monday, despite a ceasefire extension from May 6-31.

The school, which is operated by the NUG, is in the central Myanmar town of Depayin in the Sagaing Region, about 160 km (100 miles) north of Mandalay and not far from the epicentre of the March 28 earthquake.

“According to the information we have so far, 17 students have been killed and 20 injured,” said NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt. “Some may have been missing due to bomb damage, so the death toll could be higher,” he added.

Myanmar has been gripped by conflict since the military used lethal force to suppress protests against its return to power in a 2021 coup. The military has been struggling to govern and has lost ground in its battle to stem a rebellion by ethnic minority armies and a resistance movement affiliated with the NUG.

A regime spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Last week, the regime said it was extending a post-quake April 2-30 ceasefire until May 31. It had initially announced the ceasefire days after the earthquake to support relief efforts, following similar moves by anti-regime armed groups.

Military airstrikes and artillery attacks have continued in some parts of Myanmar despite the ceasefire announcement.

The NUG includes remnants of the elected administration deposed by the military in the coup and other anti-regime groups.

REUTERS