In a devastating military raid on a camp for internally displaced people near the town of Laiza in northern Myanmar, at least 29 individuals, including children, have lost their lives. The attack occurred late on Monday night, as reported by local media.

The camp, situated just a few kilometres away from the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), has been caught in the crossfire of a prolonged conflict between the KIA and the Myanmar military. Khon Ja, a local activist affiliated with the Kachin Peace Network Civil society group, visited the local hospital and confirmed to Reuters that 29 people had tragically perished, with an additional 59 wounded as a result of the attack. A spokesperson for Kachin Human Rights Watch, who wished to be identified only as Jacob for security reasons, informed The Associated Press that 30 individuals, including 13 children, had lost their lives, and approximately 60 people were injured.

According to Jacob, the air raids took place around 23.00, leaving 19 adults and 13 children from the camp dead. Disturbing images circulating on social media show rescue workers grappling with darkness as they retrieve bodies amidst piles of bamboo and other debris.

Aung Myo Min, the human rights minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), took to X (previously known as Twitter) to denounce the attack as a “war crime.” Minister Myo Min revealed that a total of 56 people had sustained injuries in the assault. The NUG was formed by democratically-elected politicians who were forcibly removed from power during the military coup earlier this year.

Colonel Naw Bu of the KIA stated that the armed group is currently investigating the nature of the strike that targeted the camp. He informed AFP that no aircraft noises were heard, prompting suspicions that the military may have employed a drone in the attack.

Since the military coup shook Myanmar in February 2021, the country has been plunged into a deep crisis. Widespread rebellion against the military rule has resulted in violence engulfing various regions, with the military being accused of employing indiscriminate tactics such as air raids, shelling, and arson. These brutal actions have forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians from their homes.