Myanmar junta targets schools in Chin State airstrikes

Mizzima

Myanmar’s military junta has stepped up airstrikes on schools across Chin State, deliberately targeting civilian education sites in recent weeks, according to local People’s Administrative Bodies and Defence Forces.

A school in Zathal village, Senthang area of Hakha Township, was hit twice by airstrikes around 1 am on 21 October. The attack followed a similar bombing on 13 October, when two bombs were dropped on Vanha village school around 10 am.

On 8 October, junta aircraft also bombed schools in Htin Chaung and Wamathoo villages in Mindat Township at about 7 pm. In total, schools in five Chin villages have been attacked within just 13 days, local sources said.

Although no casualties were reported in the 21 October strike, the Zathal village school and a nearby house were damaged. The Vanha school bombing killed two students – a one male and one female – and injured 21 others. The earlier attack on Htin Chaung killed a disabled woman and three male students, while wounding 22 others, according to local administrative officials.

“There are no military operations, no battles, and no army camps here anymore. They are just bombing indiscriminately,” an official from the Senthang Revolution Force (SRF) told Mizzima. He condemned the attacks as “acts of terror” intended to intimidate civilians and force support for the junta’s planned elections.

The SRF urged residents to boycott the junta’s upcoming “illegal elections,” suspend all schools indefinitely, and avoid public events for safety reasons.

The Hakha Township Central Council and interim Mindat Township People’s Administration have also issued notices advising the closure of schools amid the escalating air raids.

Military sources said the junta currently maintains control only in Hakha and Tedim townships, while resistance forces hold most of the remaining seven townships. Aerial bombings have intensified in areas without junta troops; a tactic Chin leaders believe is aimed at spreading fear among civilians and weakening support for the resistance.

The junta’s first phase of elections, scheduled for 28 December, is expected to take place only in Hakha and Tedim. Southern Chin townships – including Mindat, Kanpetlet, Matupi, and Paletwa – are unlikely to participate due to ongoing conflict and security risks.