Myanmar Junta Intensifies Attacks, 27 Civilians Dead

Myanmar's military junta has intensified air and artillery attacks on resistance-held territories in Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan States, with recent strikes killing at least 27 civilians, including 15 at a gold-mining market in Kachin State. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) reported the attack that killed civilians including gold miners and local shopkeepers, amidst the continued struggle for autonomy and control over resource-rich areas. The junta has been accused of targeting civilian areas as part of its efforts to suppress resistance following the 2021 coup. In Rakhine State, the Arakan Army reported multiple attacks on a public market in Kyauktaw, with unspecified civilian casualties. The KIA and Arakan Army have made significant territorial gains, further intensifying the conflict with the junta. These developments underscore the ongoing violence and instability in Myanmar following the military coup.