Statement on 2 years anniversary of Airstrike on Pazigyi Village, Kanbalu Township

Date: 11 April 2025

1. The Sagaing Strike Forces is a regional-level collective force formed with the strike committees, strike forces, and student unions, fighting against the military dictatorship in Sagaing Region through non-volent mass movements.
2. The Sagaing Strike Forces has been fighting alongside the people since February 1, 2021, to this day, through non-violent mass movements, to end the military dictatorship.
3. The terrorist Myanmar military is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity daily, including the arbitrary arrest, killing, rape, and aerial bombing of peacefully protesting students, youth, monks, and civilians throughout Myanmar, including Sagaing Region.
4. At approximately 7:00 a.m. on April 11, 2023, the terrorist Myanmar military launched an airstrike on peaceful villagers in Pazigyi Village, Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, who were gathering for the opening ceremony of the village’s administrative office.
5. The first time, military fighter jets bombed the area, and MI-35 attack helicopters pursued and killed civilians who had survived the bombing with their wounds.
6. In the attack, more than 30 children who were underage lost their lives. A total of 158 civilians, including pregnant women, elderly people, and other non-combatant civilians, were killed. Additionally, over 50 civilians, including 18 women and children, were seriously injured.
7. The brutal massacre of Pazigyi Village, Kanbalu Township was an act of war crime and a crime against humanity, and the terrorist military led by Min Aung Hlaing and all those involved in the incident must be held accountable for this atrocity.
8. We, the Sagaing Strike Forces, strongly oppose and condemn any individual or organization that sells jet fuel to the terrorist army led by Min Aung Hlaing to facilitate airstrikes.
9. At present, the people of Myanmar are experiencing the severe aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck on March 28, 2025. The people are currently facing numerous challenges, including aftershocks, injuries, fatalities, and the destruction and loss of homes. In addition to the lack of effective rescue and relief operations by the military junta, which seized power through force, the military is also actively obstructing both domestic and international aid efforts. Although the military junta has declared a ceasefire, it continues to carry out ground offensives and aerial bombings in the earthquake-affected regions, perpetuating suffering for the local population.
10. We express our deepest condolences and solidarity with the families of the innocent civilians who lost their lives due to the airstrike on Pazi Gyi Village, Kanbalu Township. As Sagaing Strike Forces, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the fight for justice and the complete dismantling of the military dictatorship led by Min Aung Hlaing.

Sagaing Strike Forces

Download Statement in English I Burmese.