Bangkok, Dec 9: A Myanmar military airstrike on a tea shop in Mayakan village, Tabayin township, Sagaing region, on December 5 killed at least 18 civilians and wounded 20, according to local residents and independent media.The victims, including a five-year-old child and two schoolteachers, were gathered to watch a televised Myanmar–Philippines football match.
Two bombs dropped by a jet exploded shortly after air-raid sirens, giving villagers little time to seek shelter. Over 20 nearby houses were damaged.
The village had experienced no recent fighting, though Sagaing is a stronghold of pro-democracy resistance, including the People’s Defence Force, which is largely unable to counter air attacks.
The strike is part of a wider surge in military air operations against opposition forces as the country approaches elections on December 28.
Many residents have fled the village, while others are digging bomb shelters.
The military government has not issued any statement about the attack.