At least 40 people, including children, were killed when the Myanmar Army used powered parachutes to drop bombs on protesters gathered at a festival in Chaung U township in the central part of the country on Monday. The military took over the country in a coup in 2021 and there has been widespread unrest. Most accounts say just two aircraft were used in the attack, which also injured 80 people. It’s not clear precisely the type of aircraft or weapons used.
It was the latest in a series of attacks throughout the country by soldiers flying wheel-equipped paramotors. Last week, the aircraft were used to drop ordnance that killed three people and destroyed a monastery and homes in Okpho Township. The Myanmar junta has not confirmed it carried out the attacks. Myanmar media says the bombings are part of an overall strategy to force people to move to areas where the junta is in control and where elections are planned later this year.
Thank you Russ for illuminating the cruel misfortunes being imposed on the people of Myanmar by their own military. Among the humanitarian initiatives I supported during my aviation career, a US based initiative designed to bring Myanmar into the community of nations enjoying democratic law was one of those. It’s disappointing to see how Myanmar authoritarianism is playing out today.
Good point John. Sadly, one can replace “Myanmar” with “the USA” and your entire post remains true.
Tragically, I’m afraid your comment is spot-on.