Chris Lange, FISM News
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Dozens of civilians in Myanmar were slaughtered by junta soldiers in a gruesome Christmas Eve attack according to reports coming out of the country. The victims, among which are women and children, were bound and shot by soldiers who then burned their bodies. Two workers for non-profit group Save the Children last seen at the site of the attack near Mo So village in Kayah State remain missing.
A senior U.N. official said he was “horrified” to learn of the violence and has called on Myanmar authorities to investigate the incident, according to a Reuters report.
“I condemn this grievous incident and all attacks against civilians throughout the country, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” said Martin Griffiths, U.N. Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Griffiths, who said he believes reports of the massacre to be “credible,” is calling for “a thorough and transparent” investigation in order that those responsible can be held accountable.
Multiple news outlets have referenced photos taken of the massacre’s aftermath posted by an unnamed human rights group which show charred bodies, some of which were found in the back of a burned-out-truck similar to one being used by the Save the Children workers. FISM has not been able to independently verify these reports. Meanwhile, an unnamed source told The Hill that 27 skulls have been found at the site.
Myanmar’s state-run media has not commented on the civilian deaths but reported Sunday that soldiers targeted and shot an unspecified number of “terrorists with weapons.”
Save the Children issued a statement confirming that two of its workers were “caught up in the incident” and are still missing while providing chilling details of the horrific attack. “We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out. The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies,” read a portion of the statement. The organization has suspended operations in the area, which includes Kayah Chin and parts of Magway and Kayin, but says it remains “committed” to helping the children of Myanmar.
https://twitter.com/save_children/status/1474805439158267906
“Save the Children condemns this attack as a breach of International Humanitarian Law,” said Chief Executive Inger Ashing. “We are horrified at the violence carried out against innocent civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar. Investigations into the nature of the incident are continuing but attacks against aid workers cannot be tolerated.”
Myanmar has been embroiled in violent turmoil since the elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in a Feb. 1 military coup. FISM reported earlier this month that Human Rights Watch issued a report accusing the Myanmar military of killing dozens of civilians in a “premeditated” attack at a March 14 demonstration. A separate December report indicates that 11 civilians were “burned alive” by junta soldiers.
Growing unrest in the region has resulted in a humanitarian crisis described by Griffiths as “extremely concerning.” In November, he issued an appeal to the Myanmar military urging them to allow humanitarian workers to provide life-saving aid to civilians in desperate need.
FISM reported in November that an estimated 20 million Myanmar citizens, representing roughly half of the country’s population, are living in extreme poverty while nearly 40,000 have been displaced as a result of soldiers burning down their homes, churches, and humanitarian aid offices.
Several reports indicate that a number of opponents of the brutal junta military have armed themselves and joined forces with ethnic minority guerrilla soldiers who have been fighting against the government for years in their quest for self-determination.