Myanmar Military Defends Deadly Air Strike On Concert That Killed At Least 50 Civilians

The Myanmar military on Tuesday defended air strikes on a concert organized by an ethnic minority force, which killed many people.

What Happened: Late on Sunday, air strikes in Kachin State in the north killed at least 50 civilians, including singers and officers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), reported Reuters.

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The military later defended its stance after being accused of targeting civilians and conducting war crimes. It said it met international engagement rules and responded to ambushes and other attacks by the KIA forces.

"As security forces, they are responsible for fighting insurgents, which is essential for regional peace and stability," the military said in a statement posted on a military website.

The Kachin forces have been fighting for six decades for greater autonomy for the people of Kachin. The group also voiced support for opposition to military rule last year after the military coup toppled the democratically elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

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