Myanmar Military Airstrike in Mogok Claims 21 Lives, Including Pregnant Woman

A military airstrike in Myanmar’s gem-mining town of Mogok has resulted in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, including a pregnant woman. The attack, which occurred on the night of August 3, 2024, was conducted by the Myanmar military as part of an ongoing campaign against resistance groups amid the civil conflict that has intensified since the military coup in February 2021.

The airstrike targeted Shwegu ward in Mogok township, located approximately 70 miles northeast of Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city. According to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an armed opposition group engaged in conflict with the government forces, the assault resulted in numerous casualties and extensive property damage. TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo reported that “about 21 civilians were killed,” with an additional seven individuals injured. The strike reportedly damaged homes and a Buddhist monastery.

Mogok has long been recognized as a center for ruby mining, a crucial industry for Myanmar’s economy. The TNLA seized control of the town in July 2024, amid a broader offensive that began in late 2023, when various ethnic militias sought to expand their territories in northeastern Myanmar. In a statement released on their Telegram channel, the TNLA indicated that 16 women were among those killed in the airstrike, which appeared to specifically target a Buddhist monastery.

Residents of Mogok have reported that the death toll may be even higher, with estimates suggesting it could approach 30, although these figures remain unverified. Two local residents, speaking anonymously due to fears of military reprisals, explained that the higher toll was attributed to visitors being present at the home of the pregnant woman at the time of the attack.

Independent media outlets, including Myanmar Now and Democratic Voice of Burma, have shared images and videos purportedly showing the aftermath of the airstrike, highlighting the destruction caused. The military has not commented on this specific incident but has previously maintained that it targets only legitimate military objectives, labeling resistance forces as terrorists.

Since the military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict. After the military’s violent suppression of peaceful protests, many citizens took up arms, leading to widespread unrest across the nation. The military government has escalated airstrikes against both the armed pro-democracy People’s Defense Force and ethnic militias, which have been active in seeking greater autonomy for decades.

The TNLA has reported additional fatalities, stating that 17 individuals, including two Buddhist monks, were killed due to airstrikes in their controlled areas during the first two weeks of August. Furthermore, independent media have documented that 16 truck drivers lost their lives in airstrikes on August 1, when military aircraft targeted a convoy near Sagaing, another region heavily affected by the ongoing conflict.

As of now, it is estimated that the military controls less than half of Myanmar, yet it retains a significant hold on central areas, including the capital, Naypyidaw. The military has intensified its counteroffensive operations in the lead-up to a planned election, which critics argue lacks legitimacy due to the absence of free media and the detention of many leaders from Suu Kyi’s party. The military’s strategy appears aimed at consolidating its power and countering opposition efforts to disrupt the electoral process.

The situation continues to evolve, and the impact of the military’s airstrikes on civilian populations raises urgent concerns about humanitarian conditions in Myanmar. As the conflict persists, the international community is closely monitoring developments and their implications for regional stability.