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Politics
Myanmar accuses KIA and PDF of attacking civilian aircraft
Monday, February 23, 2026
(MOFA)
PanOrient News
YANGON: The KIA and PDF, labeled as terrorist groups by Myanmar’s government, launched a coordinated drone strike on a civilian passenger plane at Myitkyina Airport on Friday.
Security forces rushed to evacuate passengers and crew, swiftly moving them to safety, according to Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The targeted aircraft was set to fly from Mandalay to Myitkyina.
“Due to the malicious attack targeting innocent civilians, passengers and crew experienced serious psychological distress, and the aircraft sustained damage to its nose, mid-fuselage, and tail,” a spokesperson said.
Myanmar said that deliberately attacking a civilian airline and its passengers is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and international law. The government also said the public has strongly condemned the attack.
The spokesperson promised that new, stronger measures would soon be introduced to protect civilians and defend national security.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), based in northern Kachin State near the Chinese border, has been fighting for more self-rule since the 1960s and now has about 15,000 fighters.
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) was formed in February 2021 to fight against military rule. It is the armed group of the National Unity Government (NUG). The PDF works with several ethnic armed groups, operates in many parts of Myanmar—especially in central areas—and is believed to have about 100,000 fighters across the country.
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