At least 21 civilians, including a pregnant woman and a child, were killed when junta forces carried out an airstrike on Mogok town in Mandalay Region, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said on 15 August.

The TNLA said the attack struck Lin Yaung Chi Monastery in Shwe Ku Ward at around 8:30 pm on 14 August. A source close to the group said nine bodies were recovered that night, with 10 more found by late morning on 15 August. Two of the injured later died, bringing the death toll to 21.

“The bodies are lying under collapsed two-story houses. Some are in pieces, making it impossible to determine their gender at this stage,” the source said.

Among the victims was a woman in her 30s who died alongside her baby as she was being taken to a doctor due to childbirth complications.

Local residents said the number of casualties was high because people had gathered to attend the childbirth when the bombs struck.

“We found more bodies this morning — over 20 so far. All the victims are civilians. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” one resident said.

The victims were set to be buried on the afternoon of 15 August.

Just days earlier, on 9 August, a junta airstrike on eastern Mogok killed five people, including a monk.

According to a joint statement issued on 13 August by six Ta’ang civil society groups, including the Ta’ang Women’s Organization, airstrikes from June to 13 August killed 56 civilians, including 13 children, in TNLA-controlled townships such as Kutkai, Hsipaw, Monglon, Mongngok, Kyaukme, and Nawnghkio.

The Ta’ang Civil Society Network has called for an immediate halt to the supply of military equipment, including jet fuel, to the junta. It urged countries cooperating with the regime to impose sanctions and pressed for its prosecution at the International Criminal Court, while calling on the UN and the international community to work with federal and local authorities to deliver humanitarian aid.