Update by the Shan Human Rights Foundation
August 6, 2024
SAC revenge airstrikes in Hsenwi kill 13 civilians, injure 24, damage over 40 buildings in July 2024
During July 2024, SAC airstrikes in Hsenwi in retaliation for the MNDAA’s renewed offensive in Lashio killed thirteen civilians, injured twenty-four and damaged over forty buildings, including three schools.
The airstrikes were clearly intended as collective punishment, as there has been no fighting in Hsenwi since January 2024, when it came under MNDAA control during Operation 1027.
The airstrikes in Hsenwi began on July 3, the same day that MNDAA and its allies launched attacks in Lashio under the second phase of Operation 2017. SAC aircraft dropped three 500 pound bombs near the police station in Hsenwi town, damaging ten houses.
Over the next few weeks, SAC launched six further airstrikes on Hsenwi town, with bombing also of the village of Mong Li, 10 kms southwest of the town. The most deadly was in the afternoon of July 18, when a 500 pound bomb was dropped on the town market, killing twenty civilians and injuring ten. Some of the bodies were blown to pieces. The injured were sent to Kutkhai and Chin Shwe Haw hospitals.
On July 25, an aerial bomb left a huge crater in Quarter 2 of the town, damaging ten houses. The size of the crater appeared to be larger than that of a 500 pound bomb.
Contacts:
Sai Hor Hseng 66 99 246 5673/ 66 94 728 6696 Signal (Shan, English)
Ying Leng Harn 66 99 289 6080 Signal (Burmese)
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