On January 20, the Myanmar military junta dropped more than 20 bombs in villages located between Bawlake and WanMaLan in Bawlake Township, Karenni State. The attacks were carried out using reconnaissance aircraft, according to Colonel Phone Naing, the military chief of the Karenni Army (KA).

“The bombing began around noon and continued until 5:30 PM, targeting villages between Bawlake and WanMaLan. Over 20 bombs were dropped,” said Colonel Phone Naing in an interview with Kantarawaddy Times.

The extent of the damage and casualties from the airstrikes is still being investigated.

Colonel Boe Ni criticized the attacks, pointing out that no clashes had occurred in the area prior to the bombings.

“There were no battles. They (the junta) do whatever they can to harm us. It’s likely they’re clearing supply routes for their troops,” he explained.

Earlier, on January 13, revolutionary forces had planted mines to ambush junta troops stationed near Bawlake, between MineHtan and WanMaLan. That incident caused casualties on the junta’s side. However, there have been no further battles in the area since then.