Myanmar fighter jet bombs Karen village, damaging homes and vehicles

On 28 October, Myanmar’s air force launched a bombing raid on a Karen village in Karen State, using two 500-pound bombs. The attack, carried out by a MiG-29 fighter jet at approximately 01:15, targeted a village located opposite Sao Hin subdistrict in Mae Sariang district. The impact of the bombs caused significant damage, with two houses, a car, a motorcycle, and a long-tail boat severely affected.

Thai local official Phongpipat Meebenjamas, head of Mae Sam Laep subdistrict administrative organisation in Sop Moei district, Mae Hong Son, reported that residents had evacuated the area about five hours prior to the bombing. They had received advance warning from soldiers of Karen Brigade 5. This attack also disrupted cross-border trade between Thailand and Myanmar, with Thai residents in Mae Sam Laep noting that Karen residents from Myanmar were reluctant to visit the local market on Wednesday morning. They feared additional airstrikes along their usual trade route.

The ongoing conflict in Karen State, situated near the Salween River along the Thai border, has seen continued air strikes over the past week. These operations have intensified amid fierce fighting between Myanmar forces and Karen Brigade 5 in and around Hpapun township. Prior to the most recent bombing, the Karen National Union’s intelligence unit had issued a warning about the possible movements of Myanmar military aircraft from Taungoo airport and a potential air operation targeting civilians in the Phatha village area. This intelligence allowed residents to evacuate the area before the attack occurred.