Pazigyi massacre
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| Pazigyi massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and Myanmar civil war (2021–present) | |
  Site of massacre Site of massacre (Myanmar) | |
| Location | Pazigyi, Sagaing Region |
| Date | 11 April 2023 |
| Deaths | at least 120[1] |
| Perpetrators | |
| Charges | None |
The Pazigyi massacre was a mass killing of civilians by Myanmar Air Force on 11 April 2023, in the village of Pazigyi, Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, located 92 miles (148 km) west of Mandalay, Myanmar's 2nd largest city. During the massacre, Myanmar Air Force launched a series of airstrikes at the opening ceremony of the People's Administration Office in Pazigyi village, a large gathering in rebel-held territory, killing at least 120 people in the junta's deadliest attack since seizing power in 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.[2][3]
Background
On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar Armed Forces staged a coup d'état and deposed the democratically elected government led by the National League for Democracy. Shortly thereafter, the military established a junta, the State Administration Council (SAC), and declared a national state of emergency. In response, civilians throughout the country staged large-scale protests to resist the military takeover.[4]
By May 2021, the civilian-led resistance had escalated into a civil war against the SAC, which was unwilling to compromise. Pazigyi is situated in the traditional Bamar Buddhist heartland, which quickly emerged as a stronghold of resistance against military rule. Pazigyi is a small village of approximately 100 households, located in the larger Sagaing region which borders the country's second-largest city Mandalay.[5]
In early April 2023, Myanmar Army troops launched a military offensive in Sagaing Region, where Pazigyi is located, to intimidate and suppress local resistance, by burning and raiding villages, executing villagers, and driving thousands of people from their homes.[6] By 23 February, 14 of the 50 townships placed under martial law were located in Sagaing Region.
Incident
On the morning of April 11, an air raid was carried out by the Myanmar Air Force during the opening ceremony of the People's Administration Office of People's Defence Force. According to witnesses who were able to flee the scene, a military helicopter identified as an MI-35 arrived shortly after and began firing indiscriminately.[7]
References
- ^ "Pazigyi village in Kanbalu bombed by jet fighters of the SAC Military for the 2nd time;Nearly 120 people were killed by the firs". MPA. 11 April 2023.
- ^ Paddock, Richard C. (11 April 2023). "Airstrike in Rebel-Held Region of Myanmar Kills at Least 100". The New York Times.
- ^ "Airstrikes on Myanmar village feared to have killed 100". AP NEWS. 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Dozens killed and wounded in Myanmar military air attacks". www.aljazeera.com. 11 April 2023.
- ^ "Myanmar: Dozens killed in air strike on remote village – DW – 04/11/2023". dw.com. 11 April 2023.
- ^ Irrawaddy, The (11 April 2023). "At Least 50 Civilians Including Children Massacred in Myanmar Regime Air Strike in Sagaing". The Irrawaddy.
- ^ "Deadly airstrike on Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, claims over 50 lives". Burma News International. 11 April 2023.