A devastating airstrike by Myanmar’s military junta targeted a medical clinic in the village of Hnan Khar, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, including a doctor and his wife, according to local sources. This tragic incident adds to the ongoing violence in Myanmar, which has been embroiled in civil conflict since a military coup in 2021, leading to clashes between junta forces, anti-coup guerrillas, and various ethnic armed groups.
The airstrike occurred on a Saturday morning and struck a makeshift clinic situated in a residential house within a region held by anti-coup forces in the western Magway area. Eyewitnesses to the attack described harrowing scenes of destruction and loss. “It flew very low and I heard a loud bomb blast when we were hiding,” recounted one villager, who requested anonymity to protect his safety. He noted the horrific sight of dismembered bodies amidst the rubble, stating, “It felt terrible to see it and my mind is still not clear of the image.”
Another local resident corroborated the account, identifying the doctor and his wife as among the victims. The increasing frequency of military airstrikes has left the community in a state of fear and uncertainty. “They are always listening to the sound of military fighter jets and getting ready to hide,” said a second villager, highlighting the pervasive anxiety among civilians in the area.
Despite suffering significant territorial setbacks on the ground, analysts maintain that the Myanmar military’s air force, bolstered by Russian technical support, remains a crucial asset in the regime’s efforts to maintain control and suppress opposition. Reports from the non-profit organization Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) indicate a sharp increase in military airstrikes targeting civilians, with nearly 800 documented in 2024 alone—more than triple the number recorded the previous year. ACLED predicts that the junta will continue to rely heavily on airstrikes as it faces mounting pressure in ground engagements.
The ongoing civil conflict has led to widespread humanitarian crises across the country, with civilians caught in the crossfire and suffering significant casualties as the military escalates its operations against resistance forces. The brutality of such airstrikes raises grave concerns about the safety and security of innocent civilians amid a rapidly deteriorating political situation in Myanmar.
