On Saturday morning, a deadly air strike by Myanmar’s military (junta) killed 13 people in the town of Mogok, a major ruby mining area now controlled by rebel forces. The victims included a Buddhist monk and a father with his son who were riding a motorbike.
The attack happened around 8:15 am local time. According to a local resident, seven people died immediately, and six more died later from their injuries. A car passing through was also hit, injuring the driver and others. In total, seven to 14 people were wounded, according to different reports.
A spokesperson from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a rebel group that now controls Mogok, confirmed the death toll. She said the strike hit a public area where many people were walking, which is why so many were killed.
Myanmar has been in civil war since the military took power in a 2021 coup. Pro-democracy fighters have joined forces with ethnic armed groups to fight against the military. Their joint offensive since late 2023 has taken control of several areas, including Mogok.
Myanmar is rich in precious stones like rubies, which are often sold to nearby countries like China to fund both sides of the war.
In response to recent defeats, the military has started conscripting people to increase its troop numbers. It recently regained control of Thabeikkyin, a gold mining town, after a year-long battle.
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Last Thursday, the military ended the state of emergency it imposed after the 2021 coup. It plans to hold elections in December, but many believe these are not fair. Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s former leader, is still in jail, and opposition groups are refusing to take part in the vote. The United Nations has called the upcoming election a “fraud” aimed at keeping the military in power.
