Civilians killed in airstrikes by Myanmar Air Force in northern Shan State’s Mabein Township

Civilians in northern Shan State’s Mabein Township are in terror following two airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force that struck an urban ward on Tuesday, causing an unconfirmed number of civilian fatalities.

Local sources confirmed that a regime fighter jet targeted the town despite the absence of active ground clashes in the immediate area.

Mabein, located 217 miles (349 km) northwest of the regional capital Lashio and 149 miles (239 km) south of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters in Laiza, has been under KIA administrative control since its capture in January 2024.

Martial law and regional escalation

The aerial bombardment comes as the military regime intensifies efforts to reclaim lost territory across northern Shan and neighboring Kachin states: