Three Churches Bombed by Burma Army and 12 Killed Including Nine Children in Northern Burma

Northern Burma

9 December 2024

Warning: Graphic Content Below

The Burma Army has a well-established record of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as schools, clinics and churches, with both air and ground attacks. Recently, in one three-week period, Burma Army air attacks destroyed three churches and killed and wounded multiple civilians, including seven children, in northern Shan State and Kachin State.

On 27 October, at 2145 hrs, the Burma Army dropped bombs at Hsenwi (Sinli) Kachin Baptist Church in northern Shan State, which was reportedly damaged as preparations were being made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the church’s founding in December.

On 15 November at 1550 hrs, a jet coming from Tada Oo dropped two bombs at Kunglaw Church in Momauk Township of Kachin State, where around 20 families were sheltering after having already been displaced by the Burma Army’s attacks. Nine civilians, including seven children, were killed and 11 others were wounded.

According to bystanders, the children were playing outside when they heard the jet coming. They thought they would be safer inside and fled to the church building. The church was directly hit by one of the bombs. One family was killed – both parents and four children – along with three other children. The victims were rushed to Laiza Public Hospital.

Just three days later, on 18 November at 0147 hrs, the Burma military bombed a Chinese Christian Church at Kutkai Village, Kutkai Township, in northern Shan State. The bomb hit next to three buildings of the church compound, killing a woman and two children and injuring twelve others.

Information for this report was relayed by the FBR Kachin team from sources in the Kachin Independence Army and local church members.

Thank you and God bless,

Free Burma Rangers