ASEAN condemns Myanmar military for deadly bombing on civilians

Kathmandu: Southeast Asian nations have strongly condemned the Myanmar military’s bombing of a village in the central Sagaing region that killed dozens of people, including children.

The statement from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thursday came a day after the Myanmar military confirmed the air attack on a ceremony held in a village of Sagaing region.

‘ASEAN strongly condemns the reported recent air strikes carried out by the Myanmar Armed Forces in Pa Zi Gyi village,’ the regional bloc said, ‘All forms of violence must end immediately, particularly the use of force against civilians.’

The ASEAN countries have also called for peaceful solution to the political crisis of Myanmar. ‘This would be the only way to create a conducive environment for an inclusive national dialogue to find a sustainable peaceful solution in Myanmar’, the bloc added.

Media reports said as many as 100 people were killed when fighter jets dropped bombs on the community hall on Tuesday morning. Witnesses said helicopter gunships followed, shooting at survivors and hindering rescue efforts.

One villager who spoke to AFP news agency estimated about 80 bodies had been cremated on Wednesday, with rescuers halting efforts to recover roughly 40 more bodies fearing more air strike.

Myanmar’s military has also acknowledged through state media that it carried out the airstrike in the northwestern region of Sagaing on Tuesday. It said it targeted a ceremony to mark the opening of an office for the pro-democracy National Unity Government.

The latest air strike marked the deadliest one since the military under Senior General Min Aung Hlaing removed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi.