Myanmar regime continues airstrikes amid flooding in Sagaing

Myanmar’s military has continued to carry out aerial attacks across resistance-held areas of Sagaing Region in recent days, even as residents in many areas contend with devastating floods. On Tuesday, one woman was killed and several houses were damaged by a gyrocopter assault on the village of Minyar in Paungbyin Township. The village, situated on the bank of the Chindwin River opposite the junta-controlled town of Paungbyin, also came under sustained artillery fire, resistance sources said. “It’s difficult to escape because the aircraft can appear suddenly. Since motorboats are moored nearby, artillery is also constantly being fired from Paungbyin, causing casualties,” said a People’s Defence Force officer based in the area. While Paungbyin is not currently experiencing flooding, airstrikes have also been reported in areas affected by rising water levels. In Khin-U Township, a woman and several cattle were injured on Tuesday when an airstrike hit Kuntaing, a village about two miles from the town of Khin-U. According to the village administrator, a shop that provided Starlink internet services was fired on three times in the attack. “Luckily, nobody was using the Starlink shop. The female guard who was there at the time suffered only minor injuries. As for the injured cattle, most are likely to die,” the village administrator told Myanmar Now. According to a report released by the National Unity Government on Tuesday, Khin-U is among the three worst flood-affected townships in Sagaing Region, along with Kawlin and Wetlet. More than 200,000 people have been affected by flooding in 12 townships across Sagaing Region, the report said, adding that Shwebo, Kanbalu, Depayin, Myinmu, Ayadaw, Ye-U, Taze, Sagaing, and Banmauk townships are also facing severe conditions. Flooding along the banks of the Mu River in Sagaing Region (Photo: Khin-U Township True News Information) Last week, after water was released from the Thaphanseik Dam in Kyunhla Township, inundating villages along the Mu River in Khin-U and other townships located downstream, the regime continued to carry out airstrikes, local resistance sources reported. On August 7, as much of western Khin-U Township was under water, forcing residents to flee, the junta attacked a village to the east of the township’s administrative centre, causing evacuees to panic, according to one source. “When they fire like this while people are moving around, it makes rescue work very difficult,” said a resistance fighter who assisted with the evacuation effort in Khin-U Township. Airstrikes have also been reported in Wetlet Township in recent days, including on Tuesday, when the village of Ye Le Maw was attacked using kamikaze drones, according to residents. “There was no fighting in that area. They just launched an airstrike for no reason,” a local man said, noting that most of the villages targeted by airstrikes are located along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. On Monday, four gyrocopters were reportedly used to attack villages in Chaung-U Township, south of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa, injuring at least one civilian and damaging several homes. The area, a resistance stronghold, is a frequent target of attacks. In Depayin Township, one relief worker described mounting pressure on civilians already struggling to survive after years of war. “Even during the flood, we still have to fear airstrikes. Before the flood, we could go down and hide in bomb shelters. Now, there is nowhere to take shelter,” he said. According to data released last month by the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, at least 1.3 million people have been displaced by conflict in Sagaing Region.

Myanmar regime continues airstrikes amid flooding in Sagaing

The junta’s attacks have complicated efforts to assist many of the more that 200,000 people affected by flooding in the region

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