US 'concerned' over airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on opposition gathering

TORONTO

The US State Department condemned airstrikes Tuesday by Myanmar’s military targeting a ceremony organized by opponents of army rule that was attended by at least 150 people, including many children.

"We are deeply concerned by today’s reports of a Burma military airstrike in the Sagaing region that killed more than 50 people and injured at least 30 people, including children," said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel in a statement, referring to the country by its previous name.

"This attack follows reports of airstrikes in Chin State on April 10 that killed at least nine people. These violent attacks further underscore the regime’s disregard for human life and its responsibility for the dire political and humanitarian crisis in Burma following the February 2021 coup," he added.

In the statement, the State Department called on the Myanmar regime to stop the horrific violence, allow uninterrupted humanitarian access, and to respect the genuine democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar.

"The military regime must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, including rules on the protection of civilians," it added.

It reiterated its determination to work with the international community to hold the regime responsible for violations and abuses committed in Myanmar.

The attack on Pazigyi village started around 7 a.m. with warplanes and the region was also under fire from helicopters, said a witness who did not provide his name.

It continued for at least 20 minutes and the exact number of deaths and injuries is unknown because it is difficult to identify intact bodies, the witness said.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the government of Aung San Suu Kyi over two years ago.

The National Unity Government was formed after Myanmar’s military, locally known as the Tatmadaw, ousted the government led by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in February 2021. It is now run from overseas.

The Myanmar junta also disbanded the NLD after it said the deadline for political parties to re-register under a new electoral law expired. The NLD and 40 others parties on Tuesday failed to comply with the new law.

*Kasım Ileri contributed to this story in Washington