AIR strikes by Myanmar’s military killed as many as 100 people, including many children, who were attending a ceremony held by opponents of army dictatorship.

The military is increasingly using air strikes to counter a widespread armed struggle against its rule, which began in February 2021 when it seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. 

More than 3,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed since then by security forces.

A witness said that a fighter jet had dropped bombs directly into a crowd of people gathering in the morning for the opening of a local office of the opposition movement outside the village of Pazigyi, in the Sagaing region’s Kanbalu township. 

The area is about 70 miles north of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.

About half an hour later a helicopter appeared and fired at the site, said the witness, who asked not to be identified because he feared punishment by the authorities.

Eyewitnesses estimated that about 100 had died in the attack.

There were no immediate reports on the atrocity in the state-controlled media. 

One witness said: “The jet dropped bombs directly on the crowd and I jumped into a nearby ditch and hid. A few moments later, when I stood up and looked around, I saw people cut to pieces and dead in the smoke. 

The opposition National Unity Government said: “This heinous act by the terrorist military is yet another example of their indiscriminate use of extreme force against innocent civilians, constituting a war crime.”

An Amnesty International statement said: “The relentless air attacks across Myanmar highlight the urgent need to suspend the import of aviation fuel.

“Amnesty reiterates its calls on all states and businesses to stop shipments that may end up in the hands of the Myanmar air force.”