Myanmar Air Strike Kills 18 in Tabayin Tea Shop: Civilian Casualties Mount Amidst Civil War in Sagaing Region

Deadly Air Strike Hits Myanmar Tea Shop, Killing 18 Civilians in Tabayin

A devastating military air strike in central Myanmar's Tabayin township, Sagaing region, has claimed the lives of eighteen people and injured twenty others. The attack, which took place on the evening of December 5th, saw bombs dropped on a crowded tea shop, further escalating civilian casualties in the nation's ongoing civil conflict.

Context of Conflict: Myanmar's Post-Coup Violence

Since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, Myanmar has been embroiled in widespread civil unrest and armed clashes. The ruling junta frequently utilizes air power against various anti-coup resistance movements, a strategy that has tragically resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries. This latest incident tragically underscores the brutal human cost of the prolonged violence.

The Attack: A Crowded Tea Shop Becomes a Target

According to reports from a local administration official, who requested anonymity for their safety, two bombs were deployed during the December 5th assault. One of these projectiles directly struck a popular tea shop, which was particularly busy at the time. The official confirmed that 18 individuals were killed and 20 wounded in the attacks.

A rescue worker, who arrived at the scene approximately fifteen minutes after the strike, provided a grim account: seven victims died instantly, while an additional eleven succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. The explosion completely destroyed the tea shop, a vital social hub in Myanmar's communities, and caused severe damage to about a dozen nearby residential homes.

Survivor Accounts and Community Grief

One survivor shared his terrifying ordeal, recalling that he was watching a televised boxing match inside the tea shop when the bomb hit. "As soon as I heard aircraft fly over, I got my body to the ground," he recounted, describing the overwhelming, deafening sound of the blast. "I saw a big fire over my head... I was lucky. I returned home after that."

Attempts to reach a junta spokesperson for comment on the incident were unsuccessful. The following day, December 6th, emotional funerals were held for the victims. A local resident conveyed profound sadness, noting that some of the deceased's faces were covered due to the horrific injuries, rendering them unrecognisable. "I feel very sad because I knew some of them very well," she lamented.

A Pattern of Civilian Casualties

This tragic event mirrors previous incidents, such as a deadly air strike in Sagaing last May, which resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including 20 children. That attack occurred despite a supposed ceasefire enacted after a severe earthquake struck Myanmar. The recurring nature of these strikes underscores the relentless brutality and profound impact of Myanmar's internal conflict on its vulnerable civilian population.