September 16, 2022
The military launched airstrikes on villages in Dipeyin Township, Sagaing Region, resulting in the deaths of at least six people, including children from Inpin Village, according to local residents. The military’s air assaults targeted the eastern side of Dipeyin, including areas like Layakone, Mukha, Nyaunggyi, and Inpin Village around 1 PM, leading to the deaths of an 11-year-old child and three other school children from the village.
“According to the latest news, it is reported that an airstrike killed one 11-year-old child and one villager in Inpin Village. There are also reports of children from the Layakone School being captured and executed. The exact death toll is still unknown. Civilians are at risk of casualties. There are no military dogs in the village now, and villagers have returned,” stated a representative from the Dipeyin Youth Group. Local reports indicate that as a result of the military’s aggressive airstrikes in Layakone Village, one child from a father-son pair working in the fishing industry from Inpin Village was killed, while two innocent school children were shot dead during the military’s entry into the Layakone School premises. It is reported that more than 20 students and some teachers were taken as hostages and transported out of the area towards Dipeyin and Yay-u on military vehicles. According to the Dipeyin People’s Defense Force, the military’s airstrikes on villages in the eastern part of Dipeyin resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including one 11-year-old child and four students, with injuries to the head and feet. Similarly, in Tantse Township, local sources indicate that the military entered Ophoai Village around 5 AM on September 16 and executed 10 villagers by burning them alive. Reports reveal that the military unit stationed in Inkokar village launched an assault on Ophoai Village, leading to numerous civilian arrests, destruction of homes by fire, and further executions of those detained. “We cannot confirm the identities of the deceased. It is difficult to distinguish as many were burned. Some villagers have reportedly returned,” said a local resident. After the military retreated from the village, local residents discovered 10 burned corpses and found that four civilian homes were also destroyed. It is reported that some local residents were also taken to Inkokar village.