Nine civilians, including internally displaced people (IDPs), were killed and three others injured when the junta launched an airstrike on a village in Momeik (Mongmit) District, northern Shan State.

Myitson Village, situated roughly halfway between Momeik and Mabein towns in Momeik District, was hit by three bombing runs carried out by junta aircraft at around 9:00 am on December 6, according to a resident of the village.

“The bombs struck a bridge near Myitson Village. Nine people were killed, including some IDPs. We still don’t know the identities of the victims. The aircraft made three bombing runs,” he told KNG.

It has been confirmed that the 12 casualties, both those killed and those injured, included men, women, and children of various ages, though the exact breakdown is still unknown. Three houses were also destroyed in the junta’s airstrike.

After the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) withdrew from Momeik under a ceasefire agreement and junta troops subsequently reoccupied positions in the town, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) began conducting joint combat operations and military preparations in areas surrounding the town.

The territories north of Momeik Town including Myitson Village and Mabein Town located around the Shweli (Ruili) River are under divided control by the TNLA, the KIA, and other resistance forces.

A local accused the junta of carrying out the unprovoked airstrike on Myitson Village, despite there being no active clashes nearby.

“There are gold mining sites near Myitson Village, and the KIA, PDF, TNLA, and other groups are active in the area. That’s why the junta carried out the bombing, even though there was no active fighting,” he said. 

Momeik and Mabein towns are located along the main road connecting directly to Bhamo Town in Kachin State, and locals speculate that the junta may try to advance to Mabein after securing Momeik, in order to gain full control of this logistically crucial route.