A United Nations official has been “alarmed” by reports that at least 35 people have been killed and their bodies burned in eastern Myanmar, prompting the government to launch a thorough and transparent investigation.
Two employees of a non-profit group Save the Children is missing Their car was found in a group of several who were arrested and set on fire at a ceremony in Kaya state.
An investigative team and local media reported that the attack had taken place.
“I condemn this tragic event and the attacks on civilians across the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” Martin Griffiths said. he said in his own words on the Sabbath.
I am appalled by reports that 35 civilians were killed in Kayah state, #Manmar on 24 Dec.
Two @sunga_ana social workers are not needed.
I condemn all crimes against civilians and call on the government to investigate.
My words: https://t.co/2s7BoeOGwA
Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) December 26, 2021
“I urge the state authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice as soon as possible,” Griffiths said.
“In addition, I urge the Myanmar military and all Myanmar armed forces to take action to protect civilians from casualties,” he said.
The United States ambassador to Myanmar on Sunday said he was “deeply saddened by the” violent threat to the state of Kayah that killed at least 35 people, including women and children “.
“We will continue to pressure the perpetrators of the brutal campaign against the Burmese people,” he said in a televised statement.
We were shocked by the bombing in Kayah district that killed at least 35 people, including women and children. We will continue to pressure the people to take responsibility for the perpetrators of the Burmese violence campaign. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar https://t.co/Qz1eytOWGL
– US Ambassador to Burma (@USEmbassyBurma) December 26, 2021
Continuous confusion
Myanmar has been embroiled in a political upheaval since its inception defeated the elected government Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate in February, has been accused of rigging the party’s election victory.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in riots by the security forces, according to the regional watchdog.
A group called the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) has marched across the country in protest of a military coup, inciting violence and retaliation.
On Saturday, pictures appeared on a television screen showing two cars burned by a car on the main road in Hpruso town in Kayah state, with burning bodies inside.
A local PDF group member on Saturday morning said militants found vehicles after hearing that soldiers had stopped several vehicles in Hpruso after fighting with militants around Friday.
“When we went to search the area this morning, we found dead bodies in two vehicles. We have found 27 bodies, “he told AFP reporters on condition of anonymity.
“We found 27 skulls,” said a witness who did not want to be named, and said there were other bodies that could not be counted.
Save the Children reported later on Saturday that two Myanmar workers had been “caught” in the incident and disappeared.
The pair returned home after completing humanitarian work in the area, the charity said in a statement, adding that it had suspended its activities in several states.
Myanmar troops have already said their troops were attacked in Hpruso on Friday after trying to stop seven vehicles driving a “suspicious route”.
Troops killed several people in the battle, spokesman Zaw Min Tun told AFP, without elaborating.
A Myanmar Witness spokesman confirmed reports from local media and local military veterans’ accounts that “35 people, including children and women, had been burned and killed by the military on December 24 in Hpruso town”.
Satellite data also showed that the fire occurred around 1:00 pm (06:30 GMT) Friday in Hpruso, it added.
AFP said it had not been able to confirm reports of the dispute, but its digital confirmation correspondents said photos showing the incident did not appear online on Friday evening.
The PDF groups shocked the military with their power, experts said, while the military struggled to relinquish power.
