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The Myanmar junta bombed a concert of a minority organization – Dozens dead (video – photos)

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The airstrike killed civilians, prominent local singers and officers of the Kashin Independence Army (KIA).

At least 30 people – other sources say 60 – were killed yesterday Sunday in a regime airstrike Myanmar during a concert held by an ethnic minority organization in conflict with the junta’s army, opposition groups, residents and media reported today.

The airstrike late Sunday in the northern state of Kashin, an attack the military has yet to confirm, killed civilians, prominent local singers and officers of the Kassin Independence Army (KIA), media reported, citing witnesses who said the attack was launched by three fighters.

Her representative junta could not immediately be reached for comment and Reuters could not immediately verify details of the reports, which said the raid took place in the Nag Par district of Hpakand town.

Myanmar has been mired in violence since the military overthrew an elected government early last year. Opposition movements, some of them armed, have since sprung up across the country, which the military is dealing with with lethal force.

KIA spokesman Nau Bu said that the attack targeted the celebrations for the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of the civil wing of the Kashin armyof the Kashin Independence Organization (KIO).

“The airstrike was deliberate. KIA/KIO strongly condemn the event. This is a particularly vicious act that can also be considered a war crime,” he said by telephone, adding that his organization could not yet confirm the death toll.

After the coup, open conflict resumed between Myanmar’s military and its arch-rival, the KIA, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Kashin people for six decades and has expressed support for the anti-junta resistance.

The shadow National Unity Government (NUG), an alliance of anti-military organizations expressed its grief at the loss of life and appealed to the United Nations and the international community to intervene and urgently stop the atrocities.

“The terrorist army deliberately carried out another mass killing by aerial bombardment targeting a large public concert,” the NUG said in a statement.

“The act of the terrorist army clearly violates international laws.”

The United Nations has repeatedly condemned Myanmar’s military, accusing it of crimes against humanity for the civilian deaths. The junta says its operations target “terrorists”.

RES-EMP

myanmarnewsSkai.gr

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