Junta Launches Airstrikes on Bhamo Amid Earthquake Rescue Efforts in Mandalay and Sagaing
The Myanmar military conducted airstrikes on Bhamo, Kachin State, around noon today using jet aircraft, according to frontline sources from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
Despite the absence of intense clashes between the junta forces and KIA-led joint forces on March 29 and 30, the military continued its aerial assaults, a KIA frontline source reported.
“They carried out airstrikes around this time yesterday as well. Today, they dropped three bombs at around noon. We have yet to confirm details of casualties,” the source said.
KIA joint forces have been engaged in an offensive against Bhamo, Kachin State’s second-largest city, since December 4, 2024. On February 18, they successfully seized Artillery Regiment 366 and Infantry Battalion 236, which were defending the junta’s Military Operations Command MOC 21 headquarters. Since then, the junta has been launching counter-offensive attacks to retain control over MOC-21, a strategic military outpost critical to the battle for Bhamo.
Meanwhile, as Myanmar reels from a devastating earthquake that struck the Sagaing and Mandalay regions on March 28, the military has continued its airstrikes despite the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
The National Unity Government (NUG)’s Ministry of Defense announced on the evening of March 29 that all offensive operations—except for defensive actions—would be suspended for two weeks in earthquake-affected areas. The USGS estimates that the death toll from the disaster could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
Despite this humanitarian crisis, the junta remains focused on military operations, intensifying air raids in frontline areas where active combat has reportedly been minimal in recent days.
