Myanmar: Death toll from air strike on Kachin goes up to 80

The recent air strike by the Myanmar military in the region of Kachin has led to international condemnation, including from rights groups, over the deaths from the raid. The death toll from the strike has reportedly gone up to 80 people.

Media reports said this week that the death toll from the air strike by the Myanmar military on Kachin has risen up to 80, amidst accusations by rights groups that the junta breached the laws of war. Rights groups have also called on the international community to impose a ban on arms sales and aviation fuel sales to Myanmar.

The military carried out an air strike on the northern Kachin region of the country Sunday, as locals were celebrating the founding of the Kachin Independence Organization – the political wing of the Kachin Independence Army which has long been at odds with the junta. The air strike was the biggest air attack the military carried out since its brutal crackdown on anti-coup protests when the generals staged a coup and overthrew the elected government.

Around 80 people were killed, and 100 were wounded in the air strikes, the spokesperson for the Kachin Artists Association told the Associated Press Monday. The increased death toll follows the initial reports that around 50-60 people were killed. The spokesperson added that the military detonated four bombs at the celebration, which was attended by 300 to 500 people, including musicians and performers.

The spokesperson said among those who were killed included Kachin military officers and troops, musicians, jade mining business owners, cooks that were working backstage, and other civilians. A singer and a keyboard player were also among those that were killed.

Myanmar has been in a state of political and civil turmoil since the generals staged a coup and seized power in February last year. Hundreds have been killed, and thousands were detained by the junta for opposing, and the military is facing resistance on several fronts.

The air strike by the military follows the recent bombing of the country’s Insein Prison last week, resulting in eight people killed in the two explosions that happened. The BBC’s Burmese-language news service reported that two parcel bombs exploded Wednesday, killing three prison staff and five visitors. 10 other people were injured.