A devastating tragedy has struck in north-east Myanmar, near the Chinese border, as an artillery strike claimed the lives of at least 29 people, including children, in a camp for displaced individuals.
This camp was situated in an area under the control of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), one of the ethnic insurgent groups that have been engaged in a long-standing struggle for self-rule. The victims were all civilians, according to a spokesperson for the KIO, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing 63-year conflict in Kachin State.
Officials from Kachin have asserted that the armed forces have intensified their attacks on KIO-administered regions over the past year, attributing this escalation to growing Kachin support for other insurgent groups opposed to the military government.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a broader civil war since a military coup in 2021 disrupted the nation’s elected government. Following the coup, the military has increasingly resorted to airstrikes against towns and villages under opposition control.
The exiled National Unity Government (NUG) has accused the junta of perpetrating the camp attack, condemning it as a “war crime and crime against humanity.” In contrast, Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun has denied military involvement, suggesting that the devastation was possibly caused by stored explosives.
Distressing images from local media depict the grim aftermath, with bodies being recovered from the debris and numerous body bags placed side by side. The attack occurred late on a Monday night at the Mong Lai Khet camp for displaced persons, located on the outskirts of Laiza, a town on the Chinese border serving as the KIO’s headquarters.
The camp endured extensive damage from powerful explosions around midnight, as confirmed by KIO officials. Footage of the scene reveals numerous obliterated houses and a high number of casualties. Tragically, it is believed that at least 11 children were among those who lost their lives, while an additional 56 people sustained injuries, with 44 of them receiving medical treatment at local hospitals.
The United Nations in Myanmar has expressed profound concern over reports of casualties in the camp, emphasizing that internally displaced persons (IDP) camps serve as havens, and civilians should never be subjected to harm. In a statement posted on Facebook, the UN stated, “IDP camps are places of refuge, and civilians, no matter where they are, should never be a target.”
The vicinity surrounding the camp has been embroiled in conflict for an extended period, as it is situated not far from the front lines where Kachin troops are entrenched, facing off against government forces. However, locals have indicated that there hasn’t been any recent fighting in close proximity to the camp, raising the possibility that the attack may have been executed from the air. camp for displaced individuals
Almost precisely one year ago, the Myanmar air force utilized precision-guided bombs to target an open-air concert at another Kachin base during the night, resulting in the tragic loss of over 80 lives.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which serves as the armed wing of the KIO, ranks among the largest and most formidable insurgent groups in Myanmar. Its conflict with the central government has spanned sporadically since 1960 and consistently since a ceasefire breakdown in 2011. Following the military coup, the junta has identified the KIA as a substantial threat, as it has provided weaponry and training to newly formed insurgent groups across the country opposing military rule.
The KIA has also maintained a long-standing alliance with the Arakan Army, an insurgent group initially established in Kachin State. However, since 2016, the Arakan Army has been active in Rakhine State, located on the opposite side of the country, where it has effectively challenged the military for control over significant territories.