In a damning report, Amnesty International has called for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Myanmar’s military, pointing to an air attack that claimed the lives of 17 villagers, including two children, during a church service. The incident occurred on January 7 in Kanan village near the Myanmar-India border.
Amnesty’s findings, based on photo and video analysis and witness interviews, suggest that the Myanmar air force dropped bombs near St Peter Baptist Church. The military denies responsibility, but Amnesty insists that the evidence indicates air strikes, calling for accountability and labeling the attacks as potential war crimes.
Amnesty International’s report outlines the damage in Kanan village as consistent with air strikes, with craters indicating bombs of approximately 250kg each. Despite the military’s denial, the rights group points to a distinctive swept-wing silhouette of an A-5 fighter jet seen in videos during the strikes, a type only used by the military. Satellite imagery also showed active A-5 operations near Mandalay, supporting Amnesty’s claims.
The military’s attacks on civilians are escalating, warns Matt Wells, the director of Amnesty’s crisis response program, urging the UN Security Council to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The military coup in 2018 plunged Myanmar into a crisis, leading to mass protests, which evolved into armed resistance. Since the coup, at least 4,485 civilians have been killed, and violence continues to spread.
Sagaing, where the church attack occurred, has been a hotspot for military assaults, following its strategy known as “four cuts” to isolate opponents from potential supporters. During the church attack, Kanan village was under the control of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), an anti-coup armed group.
Amid the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, calls are growing for international intervention. While the United States and allies imposed some sanctions, the primary response has been left to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, ASEAN’s efforts, including the Five Point Consensus, have seen little success, and the crisis demands more substantial action from the international community.
Members of the Special Advisory Council on Myanmar (SAC-M) emphasize the urgency of support and protection from the UN Security Council for the Myanmar people. The Security Council is urged to move beyond toothless statements and press the military regime to comply with agreements, referring Myanmar to the ICC if necessary. The SAC-M was established after the coup to assist Myanmar in seeking justice and accountability.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into war crimes by Myanmar’s military following an air attack that killed 17 villagers attending a church service, including two children. The organization presented evidence indicating that the Myanmar air force dropped bombs near St Peter Baptist Church in Kanan village, Sagaing region.
The military denies responsibility, but Amnesty cites video analysis showing an A-5 fighter jet, and satellite imagery indicating A-5 operations. The attack occurred in a region known for military assaults, and at the time, Kanan was controlled by the People’s Defence Force.
Calls for international action and accountability have intensified amid the escalating crisis in Myanmar since the 2021 coup, with growing humanitarian concerns and civilian casualties. The UN Security Council faces calls to address the situation more assertively, and critics argue that the ASEAN response has been inadequate. The Myanmar military’s actions, deemed war crimes, highlight the urgent need for international intervention and justice for the victims.
