In central Myanmar, the intensity of the war between the Burmese army and the PDF (People’s Defence Forces) under the NUG (National Unity Government), a shadow government opposing the Burmese military dictatorship, is increasing. On the morning of April 11, in the village of Pazigyi, Kanbalu township in central Sagaing Division, the junta's army Tatmadaw dropped bombs using helicopter gunships on attendees at the inauguration of an administrative office, in an area of the territory controlled by the NUG and PDF. 

According to the opposition, the bombs dropped by Tatmadw were the so-called “Enhanced Blast Weapons”, thermal bombs that are normally used to knock down bunkers. At least 15 women and several minors were reportedly left under the bombs as a result of the tragic raid; the number of dead and wounded is very high. 

Pazigyi was not the only front of the war. On April 4, joint forces of the PDF and Karen armies launched an attack on the Shwe Kokko area, in the north of Myawaddy city, a newly built urban agglomeration that has been transformed into yet another crime citadel. The attack was reportedly aimed at targeting Chinese interests and currency-generating tools for the military junta's repressive apparatus. Again, there would have been air raids. 

The battle caused at least 10,000 refugees in a single day. The offensive was tough but did not break through; Tatmadaw continues to have control over the Shwe Kokko area and its illicit activities. The showdown also shows the military junta's difficulties in defending multiple battlefronts, except by using the air force. 

According to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in order to protect civilians from the effects of the attacks, all parties must take “all practicable precautions”, such as avoiding the placement of military objectives inside or close to heavily inhabited areas. 

To read more, please visit:

https://www.atlanteguerre.it/29624-2/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135522

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/13/asean-strongly-condemns-deadly-myanmar-air-attack

by Chiara Cacciatore