“Myanmar Spring Chronicle – May 12 Overview”,
published by MoeMaKa on May 13, 2025*:
Another Airstrike in Depayin Kills Dozens, Including Many Schoolchildren
On the afternoon of May 12, the military junta’s air force bombed a village school in Oe Htein Twin village, located in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region. According to initial reports that surfaced by midday, the attack killed 17 students and 2 teachers while classes were in session.
Images circulated on social media showed the school’s collapsed tin roof, bloodied children’s slippers, and school bags left behind—evoking widespread anger and sorrow across Facebook and other platforms.
This marks the second airstrike on a school in Depayin Township, following the infamous Let Yet Kone school bombing in September 2022, which killed 13 people, including 7 students.
Details of the Attack
Unlike the Let Yet Kone attack, which was a combined ground and air operation, the Oe Htein Twin strike involved only an aerial bombing, reportedly conducted by a military jet with no concurrent ground assault.
By late evening on May 12, the death toll rose to 20, as more children succumbed to injuries.
While the junta acknowledged and defended the Let Yet Kone airstrike, it has denied involvement in this latest attack and dismissed it as “false reporting.” However, in Let Yet Kone, they had even transported the wounded and dead to Ye-U Hospital under military escort.
In this case, the junta has flatly denied responsibility, while pro-military propaganda channels are spreading a false claim that the explosion was caused by bombs allegedly stored by PDF forces inside the school—a claim many observers see as an attempt to cover up a direct bombing by the military air force.
Context: Depayin and Sagaing’s Control Structure
Depayin Township—like many rural areas in Sagaing Region—is governed by resistance forces under the National Unity Government (NUG), with systems of People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), local administration, and community safety (known collectively as the “Three Pillars”).
The junta still controls town centers in Sagaing, but has no effective presence in surrounding villages. At the same time, NUG/PDFs have not yet captured townships, keeping both sides in a tense standoff with no major territorial shift.
Sagaing is home to a patchwork of PDFs, including LPDF, BNRA, PLA, BPLA, and 96 Soldiers, each managing their own zones.
The junta, unable to retake these areas, often resorts to airstrikes to disrupt resistance governance and intimidate civilians.
Impact on Civilian Life and Education
Though not under constant battle, civilians cannot live in peace or security. With no formal ceasefire and ongoing air threats, parents must decide whether to send their children to NUG-run schools, even as the military targets such facilities.
In many villages, schools and monasteries double as community hubs—and that makes them vulnerable to military justification as PDF gathering spots.
Moral Responsibility on Both Sides
While the military’s actions have drawn universal condemnation, some also question what measures NUG’s Education Ministry can take to protect students and teachers in vulnerable areas. There have also been calls for armed groups to avoid using school grounds as military shelters.
As long as the junta continues to rely on air superiority, it will keep targeting PDF and LPDF strongholds—including community areas like schools.
Parallels with Gaza and Global Trends
Myanmar is not alone. In Gaza, thousands of children have died in Israeli airstrikes. Like Myanmar’s air force, Israel’s bombings do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
While Gaza’s situation receives global headlines, Myanmar’s daily bombings rarely appear in international news—unless mass killings like the Pazi Gyi massacre occur.
Weapons and Allies
Who supplies Myanmar with the weapons that make these attacks possible?
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Primarily Russia
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Secondarily China
Just as Western countries arm Israel, Russia and China arm the Myanmar junta, enabling it to carry out daily airstrikes on its own population.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s Myanmar or Gaza, the tragedy is the same: children are dying, civilians are suffering, and powerful nations are arming those who kill them.
The only difference is who gets the world’s attention—and who doesn’t.
For Myanmar, understanding this global reality is crucial. The world may never stand up for us, so we must be prepared to stand up for ourselves.