ASEAN Condemns Junta Strikes as Air Raids Kill Seven Civilians

[geovalin]

 

CTER Karenni

 

ASEAN has condemned the Myanmar junta’s latest wave of airstrikes that killed seven civilians—including four children—in rebel-held areas of Mandalay Region and Karenni (Kayah) State on Wednesday.

 

The regional bloc’s rare rebuke came as Myanmar’s military continues its aerial campaign against resistance strongholds, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups and international observers.

 

In Karenni State’s Mawchi town, a fighter jet bombed a village controlled by a Karenni resistance alliance, killing a family of five and destroying civilian homes, a church, and a pastor’s residence. Two of the victims were girls aged just three and eight. Five more villagers were injured.

 

In Mandalay Region’s Mogoke—famed for its rubies but now under Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) control—two children died and six others were wounded after two 250-pound bombs struck Pan Ma Hteik village the same evening. The previous day, another junta airstrike killed three residents in central Mogoke and destroyed multiple homes.

 

The TNLA, part of the Brotherhood Alliance, has been a key force in the anti-junta movement. After China-led peace talks collapsed in April, the regime intensified its attacks on areas seized by the alliance during its sweeping 2023 offensive.

 

In response to the escalating violence, ASEAN foreign ministers gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday alongside officials from the US, China, and Russia. According to a leaked draft of the ASEAN Regional Forum’s statement, the meeting “denounced continued acts of violence against civilians and public facilities” and urged all sides to “immediately halt indiscriminate violence.”

 

Critics have long accused ASEAN of failing to act decisively on Myanmar, but this week’s condemnation marks a stronger tone from the bloc, now chaired by Malaysia.

 

Despite pledging a ceasefire earlier this year, the junta has resumed attacks and plans to hold elections by early 2026. Observers warn any such vote would be illegitimate, with large parts of the country no longer under military control.

 

As the death toll climbs past 6,600 since the 2021 coup, ASEAN faces renewed pressure to move beyond statements and deliver concrete action to protect Myanmar’s civilians.

 

-2025-07-11

[Purdey]

The air force uses mainly Russian planes. Perhaps the rebels should invest in anti aircraft batteries and drones. However, ASEAN should really condemn both sides for extending the war.

Perhaps request America to come to a deal between both sides where America gets land with diamond mines?

[ericbj]

11 hours ago, Purdey said:

The air force uses mainly Russian planes. Perhaps the rebels should invest in anti aircraft batteries and drones. However, ASEAN should really condemn both sides for extending the war.

Perhaps request America to come to a deal between both sides where America gets land with diamond mines?

Please make at least a superficial study of the conflict before uttering such nonsense.