KPSN calls for arms embargo and jet fuel sanctions as Myanmar junta airstrikes hit northern Karen State hard

Mizzima

The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) and the Salween Peace Park Governing Committee released a joint statement on 20 April condemning increasing Myanmar junta airstrikes on civilian targets in Hpa-pun Township of northern Karen State.

The statement is as follows.

The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) and the Salween Peace Park Governing Committee strongly condemn the intensified Burma Army airstrikes on civilian targets in Mutraw (Papun) district of northern Karen State from April 10th to 16th 2026, which killed four civilians, injured fourteen, and destroyed dozens of civilian buildings, including clinics, schools, churches and a monastery.

On April 10th, at 10:15 pm, a Burma Army jet fighter dropped two bombs on Paw Hta village, Bu Tho township, Mutraw district. The bombs killed a man, aged 80, injured two men and a woman, and destroyed four houses and a monastery.

On April 11th, at about 11:30 pm, a Burma Army jet fighter dropped two bombs on Oo Mi Hta village, Bu Tho township, Mutraw district, destroying two public clinic buildings.

On April 13th, at about 9 pm, a Burma Army jet fighter dropped a cluster bomb on Day Bu Noh, Lu Thaw township, Mutraw district. The bomb destroyed a public building.

On April 14th, at about 10 pm, a Burma Army jet fighter and a Y-12 aircraft dropped nearly a hundred bombs on Day Bu Noh village, Lu Thaw township, Mutraw district. The bombs destroyed six junior college school buildings, including two libraries, and a high school chapel hall.

On April 15th, at about 3:50 pm, two Burma Army jet fighters dropped 20 bombs and a Y-12 aircraft dropped over 50 bombs on Kheh Pa Hta (Ler Wah Kho Der) village, Lu Th aw township, Mutraw district, killing three men, aged 28, 43 and 63. The community was holding an annual religious meeting at the time.

The next day, at about 10 am, while a funeral service was being held for the airstrike victims at Kheh Pa Hta, the village was again attacked by two Burma Army jet fighters, which dropped eight bombs and fired Oerlikon cannons. This led to a total of eleven civilians being injured over the two days, as well as 28 houses, two church buildings, a middle school chapel hall, a students’ dormitory and a large amount of valuable property being completely destroyed.

After the sham election was completed by the Burma Army on January 25th 2026, Min Aung Hlaing unlawfully assumed the presidency and transferred the army leadership to Ye Win Oo. The positions may have changed but their atrocities have only worsened.

KPSN and the Salween Peace Park Governing Committee call urgently for increased international pressure on the Burma Army to stop their escalating attacks on civilian targets, and reiterate demands for an immediate arms embargo and aviation fuel sanctions on the Naypyitaw regime. We also urge international donors to prioritize cross-border aid.