Myanmar military airstrike kills five civilians, including two children, in Magway Region

Mizzima

A Myanmar military airstrike killed five civilians, including two young children and their mother, when two jet fighters targeted Thahmunekonegyi village in eastern Natmauk Township on 25 June. The afternoon assault also left at least 10 homes heavily damaged, according to local residents and military sources.

The attack occurred around 4:20 pm when the fighter jets dropped four bombs and opened fire on the village using a large-calibre weapon.

Among the victims were eight-year-old Nyi Phone Khant, his twelve-year-old brother Aung Phone Khant, and their 33-year-old mother, Than Than Maw. The strike also claimed the lives of 69-year-old Daw Yi and 39-year-old Chit Oo.

Locals emphasized that there were no active clashes or ongoing fighting between the military and resistance forces in the area at the time of the attack, leading residents to accuse the military of deliberately targeting a defenceless civilian population.

In the wake of the tragedy, local community organizations have urged people nationwide to remain highly vigilant and dig backyard bomb shelters, warning that the military is conducting daily aerial bombardments aimed at civilian areas.

The deadly airstrike marks an escalating pattern of violence against Thahmunekonegyi village. Just weeks prior, on 3 June, military ground troops entered the same village and set fire to multiple homes.