Four civilians killed, eight injured in junta airstrikes amid severe flooding in Mabein township, Northern Shan State

Update by the Shan Human Rights Foundation

Four civilians killed, eight injured in junta airstrikes amid severe flooding in Mabein township, Northern Shan State

August 12, 2026

Beginning in the final week of July 2026, water releases from upstream dams on the Shweli River (Long Jiang) in China triggered severe flooding in Mabein township, Northern Shan State—an area currently under the administration of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The overflow from the Shweli River and Nam Paw Creek inundated several wards of Mabein town and surrounding villages.

Notwithstanding the ongoing natural disaster, the Burmese military junta conducted a series of targeted aerial bombardments across Mabein township between July 28 and August 6. These air operations resulted in four civilian fatalities, injuries to eight civilians, and structural damage to over 20 buildings, including three buildings of the Mabein General Hospital.

On July 28, 2026, around 11 am, the junta deployed a Y-12 utility aircraft to execute an airstrike on Wards 2 and 3 in Mabein town. The bombardment resulted in three civilian fatalities, four civilian injuries, and significant damage to at least ten residential structures.

On July 30, 2026, around 4 pm, the junta carried out an air attack targeting Ba He village and Ward 3 in Mabein township, inflicting injuries on four civilians and destroying or damaging five homes.

On August 3, 2026, around 11 pm, a junta fighter jet conducted an airstrike on Ward 2 in Mabein town, killing one male civilian and damaging at least three residential properties.

On August 6, 2026, around 11 pm, the junta targeted medical infrastructure by launching an airstrike on Mabein General Hospital in Ward 3, causing severe structural damage to three hospital buildings.