In Myanmar, at least 24 individuals lost their lives during a protest against the military government when a paraglider dropped two explosive devices into the gathering.
Approximately 100 people had assembled in Chaung U township in central Myanmar on Monday to mark the Thadingyut festival, which signifies the conclusion of Buddhist Lent. This group became the intended recipients of the government’s bomb attack.
Following the military junta’s takeover in 2021, sparking a civil war, the army initially lost control over a substantial portion of the nation. However, through relentless airstrikes, they are reclaiming lost territories.
The specific location that was targeted serves as a pivotal battleground in the ongoing conflict with armed opposition factions, including volunteer militias collectively known as the People’s Defence Force (PDF), formed post the coup to resist the junta’s rule.
An official present at the gathering on Monday reported the attack to BBC Burmese, stating that despite attempts to halt the protest, the bombs were swiftly dropped within a seven-minute timeframe, resulting in casualties. The official himself sustained leg injuries in the blast and witnessed fatalities among those around him.
Local residents shared the harrowing aftermath of the incident, recounting the challenges in identifying the deceased individuals. One woman involved in organizing the event mentioned the gruesome scenes witnessed at the subsequent funerals, with people still in the process of recovering scattered body parts.
Reports from BBC Burmese revealed that the junta resorted to using paramotors, motorized paragliders, for attacks due to a lack of conventional military aircraft. Amnesty International condemned this tactic, labeling the targeting of civilians with such devices as a troubling escalation requiring immediate protection for the vulnerable populace in Myanmar.
Despite facing severe international sanctions limiting access to military resources, Myanmar’s ruling authorities have received support from China and Russia, who continue to provide advanced drones and military technology, bolstering the junta’s combat capabilities.
The candlelight vigil staged on Monday was designed as a peaceful demonstration against military conscription and the upcoming election, with participants also advocating for the release of political detainees, including former democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted and imprisoned following the coup.
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