A military paraglider attack on a Buddhist festival in Myanmar’s Sagaing region killed at least 24 people and injured dozens, marking a deadly escalation in the country’s ongoing civil war.
The attack occurred Monday evening in Chaung U township, where around 100 people gathered for a candlelit vigil during the Thadingyut festival, a Buddhist holiday celebrating Buddha’s return from heaven.
The event also served as a protest against military rule, forced conscription, and an upcoming election.
A motorized paraglider, known locally as a paramotor, dropped bombs on the crowd, targeting civilians, including children and teachers.
A second attack later that night destroyed a school but caused no further casualties.
The National Unity Government, Myanmar’s civilian government in exile, and a witness reported at least 24 deaths and 40 injuries.
Amnesty International noted 18 deaths and 45 injuries, many critical.
Among the victims was a member of the Sagaing Region Strike Forces, a resistance group opposing the junta.
Locals struggled to identify bodies, with some describing children “completely torn apart.”
The military, which seized power in 2021, has not issued a statement on the attack.
The junta’s increasing use of paramotors reflects a shift to unconventional tactics amid international sanctions limiting access to traditional aircraft.
Sagaing, near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, remains a contested region in the civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since the 2021 coup.
The junta, facing resistance from pro-democracy groups and ethnic rebels, has intensified airstrikes to reclaim territory ahead of a December election.
Critics argue the vote, boycotted by disqualified opposition parties, will not be fair.
The attack underscores the junta’s targeting of civilian areas, with Amnesty International calling for urgent protection for Myanmar’s people and increased pressure from regional powers.