The regime flew an airstrike on a village in Mindat on Monday, injuring civilians and damaging a Buddhist monastery, another religious building and several houses.
According to the Public Administration for Mindat Township, a revolutionary group formed after the coup, a fighter jet attacked Palate Htwee at about 11am where no fighting was reported. An hour later, the junta shelled the village with artillery.
Many civilians displaced by the war were staying at the monastery, but at press time Khonumthung News could not get further details.
Dr Ngai Tam Moung, deputy minister of the Humanitarian and Disaster Management Ministry under the exiled National Unity Government’s (NUG) commented, “After suffering many casualties on the battlefield they are sending fighter jets to attack the armed resistance groups.”
He said the regime has no qualms about attacking religious buildings, hospitals and displaced camps. Expecting the air strikes to continue, Ngai Tam Moung said people will have to learn how to find cover before they attack again.
According to the Mindat Chinland Defence Force (CDF), the military flew eight airstrikes on their camps and displaced camps and villages in the township in January.
Twice on 7 January, once the next day, twice on 22 January and three times the following day.
The Chin armed group, which is fighting the regime, has advised civilians to build bunkers around their houses for protection.