Vomtu Hospital in Mindat township after it was destroyed by SAC airstrike on April 25, 2024 (Photo: The Mindat Post).

Salai Kur Bung Bel

During the week of August 19-20, the Myanmar military’s violent actions, including airstrikes, have significantly increased in Chin State and the Kalay Region, where many Chin people live. According to the Mindat Post, Mindat Township experienced at least 10 airstrikes by the military council on August 19 and 20. Additionally, on August 20, Letpanchaung village, located in the northwest of Kalay, was struck once. This means there were no fewer than 11 airstrikes within those two days without any battles occurring at these locations.

In the early hours of August 18, around 3 a.m., a school in Phui Village and konjac fields in Mindat Township were destroyed by airstrikes from the military council. On August 20, around 2 a.m., the military council dropped two 500-pound bombs on Dohdui Village and the 22-mile mark on the Matupi-Mindat road in the western part of Mindat Township. According to a statement released by the Chinland Defence Force Minndat, a school building, dormitories, an exam hall, and toilets were damaged in the airstrike on Dout Dway village, and one person was injured.

On the afternoon of August 20, around 2 p.m., two bombs, estimated to weigh 250 pounds each, were dropped by jet fighters on Letpanchaung Village in the northwest of Kale Township, Sagaing Region. According to a local resident cited by RFA News, the bombs fell into a monastery, but there were no casualties. In return, the Military Junta army fired back with a machine gun. (RFA News; August 20, 2024)

On August 20, around 5 a.m., the SAC troops, arriving in five military vehicles, entered Sekan Village in Kalay township and then proceeded to Sataw Village. After engaging in about an hour of fighting with Chin National Defense Forces (CNDF) troops, the SAC troops set fire to Sataw Village and continued to attack three neighboring villages, setting more homes ablaze. According to a Christian pastor who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, a Myanmar military commander met with the Christian leaders in the vicinity of Sataw Village and made threats, stating, “Do not harbor PDFs (People’s Defense Forces) in the village. If PDFs are found in any house, that house will be set on fire. We have already burned down one house with people inside”.

As the military junta intensifies its airstrikes and violent military offensives across Chin State and Chin ethnic regions, local media have reported that major cities in the country, including Yangon, Mandalay, and Taunggyi, are experiencing fuel shortages. Citizens in these cities have to queue for extended periods to purchase fuel under rationed conditions.