His Air Attack Died Dozens Of People In Kachin, Myanmar Military Regime: Responsibility Against Gerilyawans

KIA soldiers. (Twitter/@KachinNewsGroup)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's military regime defended their airstrikes that killed dozens of people, in concerts held by armed ethnic groups, in a justified response, denying accusations of targeting civilians and potentially becoming war crimes.

Airstrikes on Sunday evening in northern Kachin State killed at least 50 civilians, including singer and officer of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), media reported, citing witnesses who said three planes carried out the attack.

The military said its troops responded to raids and other attacks by KIA and armed groups against its troops and had complied with international engagement rules.

"As security forces, they are responsible for fighting insurgents, which is important to regional peace and stability," the military said in a statement posted on the military website.

The airstrikes took place in A Nang Pa's territory in Hpakant township and killed at least 50 people, the BBC's Burmese-language service said. Meanwhile, Kachin News Group said about 80 people were killed and 100 people injured.

KIA said the attack targeted the celebration of its 62nd anniversary of its political wing and said the attack should be considered a war crime.

The military regime described the report as a "rumor". They did not provide their own estimate of the number of victims but said only KIA members and "terrorists" were killed.

KIA has been fighting desperately for six decades for greater autonomy for the Kachin people. They voiced support for opposition to military rule after last year's coup, when generals toppled the elected civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Meanwhile, the Shadow National Unity Government (NUG), largely consisting of Suu Kyi loyalists, accused the army of targeting civilians, calling on the United Nations and the international community to intervene and stop "cruelty and war crimes committed by the junta."

"We need real action and immediate support from the international community to hold the junta accountable," said Dr. Sasa, a NUG spokesman set up by opponents of the junta after the coup, in a statement.

Myanmar has been caught in a cycle of violence since the army toppled Suu Kyi's government. The opposition movement, some armed, has emerged across the country, which has been fought by the military with lethal force.