A girl was killed and three other women were injured when the junta fired 60mm mortar rounds into Ma-U Village in Sagaing Region’s Monywa Township on the evening of 29 July.

Soe Win Swe of the Sagaing Public Support Network, an organisation formed by the National Unity Government (NUG) to offer humanitarian support for people in conflict areas, said: "The Military Council soldiers opened fire with 60 mm mortars. One of the shells landed on a house and killed 15-year-old Ma Htet Ei immediately. Other shells hit other houses in the village and injured three women in their forties.”

The three injured women are currently receiving treatment at Monywa Hospital, two of them are in a critical condition.

According to Soe Win Swe, a unit of about 30 junta soldiers stationed at a farm near the Monywa to Mandalay highway in Monywa Township fired at least three mortar rounds into Ma-U Village, despite there being no fighting in the area.

He explained: “Junta soldiers frequently fire artillery into civilian areas without engaging in combat with resistance forces. They also inspect pedestrians and demand money. Worst of all, they attempt to assault women pedestrians.”

Just over two weeks ago, also in Ma-U Village, a 45-year-old woman was killed by a mortar round fired by the same junta army unit.