Reports have emerged of a horrific massacre in Let Htoke Taw village in central Myanmar, where more than 30 civilians lost their lives in a brutal attack by soldiers of the military government. The incident, which took place on Saturday morning, has been described as the latest in a series of mass killings in the ongoing civil war in the country.
The village, located in Sagaing region's Myinmu township, was targeted by a group of soldiers and armed individuals believed to be members of an army-affiliated militia. The attack, which occurred around 5 a.m., resulted in the deaths of 33 people, including three 17-year-old boys, two elderly individuals, and three carpenters from a nearby village.
Survivors of the massacre recounted harrowing details of the events that unfolded. Villagers were reportedly rounded up and interrogated by the soldiers, who were searching for members of the Peoples Defense Force, the armed wing of the opposition National Unity Government. Despite facing beatings and threats, many villagers refused to provide information, leading to a brutal and indiscriminate shooting spree by the soldiers.
One survivor, who sustained injuries during the attack, described how he played dead for half an hour until the soldiers departed, leaving behind a scene of devastation. The soldiers not only took the lives of innocent civilians but also burned down hundreds of homes in the village and destroyed vital water pumps, further exacerbating the suffering of the local population.
The violence in Myanmar has escalated since the military seized power in February 2021, triggering widespread protests and subsequent armed resistance. The military's brutal crackdown on dissent has resulted in numerous atrocities, including mass killings and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
Let Htoke Taw village, a known stronghold of resistance against the military, has been repeatedly targeted in previous offensives, with hundreds of houses set ablaze in previous attacks. The recent massacre underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the urgent need for international intervention to protect civilians and hold those responsible for such heinous acts accountable.
