The deadly airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Armed Forces killed at least 100 people in an opposition stronghold in the northwest on Tuesday.
Military aircraft dropped bombs and fired on a crowd of people in Kanbulu Township, located in Sagaing Region, who had gathered that morning for the opening of a new town hall.
“During that opening ceremony, we conducted the attack. PDF [People’s Defence Force] members were killed. They are the ones opposing the government of the country, the people of the country,” said Junta spokesperson General Zaw Min Tun.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be held accountable, his Spokesperson said in a statement.
Guterres offered his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. He also called for the injured to be allowed urgent medical treatment and access to assistance.
“The Secretary-General condemns all forms of violence and reaffirms the primacy of protection of civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the statement said.
Myanmar’s military seized power in February 2021 following disputed elections the previous November, detaining democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other top officials.
Thousands of people have been killed since the coup.
