Deadly strikes on hospital in Shan State

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Army aircraft carried out at least two strikes on Laukkaing in northeastern Thailand on Thursday evening. Burmadescribed to AFP a resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons. Ten civilians were killed in the bombings, according to a local media outlet, citing a resident.

Li Jiawen, spokesman for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), one of the armed groups operating in Myanmar, said he did not know the number of casualties at this stage, but confirmed to AFP that a hospital had been targeted by the army. The junta did not comment when contacted on the matter.

Rebel offensive, army setback

Shan State, where Laukkaing is located, has been the scene of renewed fighting since an alliance of ethnic armed groups resumed its offensive against the military along a crucial trade highway with China, despitea ceasefire agreement signed under the auspices of Beijing.

Since then, the junta has repeatedly bombed Laukkaing, a town of about 25,000 people in normal times, where the streets were deserted Thursday, according to images shared with AFP by a resident. The MNDAA fighters have captured in January the cityat the end of a battle considered one of the worst setbacks ever inflicted on the junta.

Fighting in Lashio

In recent days, they have entered Lashio, a major town in Shan State where a regional army command is located. Fighting was still ongoing in Lashio on Friday, according to a military source.

A local media outlet, citing a resident, reported that MNDAA fighters had stormed a military hospital and killed an unspecified number of patients and medical staff. AFP was unable to contact people at the scene or confirm this information.

Recent clashes in Shan State have killed or injured dozens of civilians, according to the junta and local rescue groups.

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