Myanmar’s military junta dropped three bombs on two schools and a director’s office in Hsenwi (Theinni) Township, Shan State on July 12, at around one in the morning. All the schools’ facilities were destroyed, residents said. The schools are operated by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) of the Kokang minority.

This bombing adds to the junta’s serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The junta has been increasing flights of bombers over Hsenwi since the start of July. Because of this, the residents were forced to evacuate and sleep in huts near their farms for fear of being bombed. Residents said the school was deliberately bombed due to the junta’s estimate that MNDAA troops were nearby in the area.

The MNDAA is part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BA) which has been engaged in driving out military junta forces out of their territories. In October 2023, the 3BA conducted Operation 1023, a large-scale offensive in Shan State. More than 10,000 fighters from different towns were mobilized to attack and occupy the camps and detachments of the junta forces. Due to its size, speed and high coordination, the 3BA seized several key towns on the border between Myanmar and China. Among these towns is Hsenwi. Along with the MNDAA, the 3BA consists of the Arakan Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.