Junta drone bombing damages school in deserted Belin village as attacks on civilian infrastructure continue

Mizzima

A junta drone strike targeted a school in the centre of Pho Wa Thein Village in Mon State on 29 January, causing significant structural damage to the primary educational facility.

According to local witnesses, the attack was launched from the military’s Than Tadar (Thel Phyu Chaung Bridge) camp, with drones dropping three bombs directly onto the village. While no casualties were reported, residents noted that the lack of injuries was solely due to the fact that the entire village and five neighbouring communities had already been displaced following a violent military sweep in December 2025.

The village has been a recurring target for the Than Tadar bridge camp, which local revolutionary forces and the Karen National Union (KNU) claim is used as a base for indiscriminate shelling.

On 26 January, heavy artillery from the same camp reportedly exploded near Alu Gyi and Pho Wa Thein villages, killing two civilians, including a three-year-old child. This follows a deadly incident on 12 December, where two elderly men were killed by shelling during a ground offensive.

Although junta troops have largely withdrawn to their fortified bridge positions, the persistent use of drones and long-range artillery has prevented thousands of displaced highland farmers from returning to their fields, leading to a mounting humanitarian crisis and total loss of seasonal income in the region.