YANGON: A drone attack on Myitkyina Airport in Kachin State on Friday (Feb 20) night reportedly hit an MNA Airlines passenger plane. Security forces continue to carry out necessary area security operations and will take effective and strong responses, it was announced.
The ATR-72-600 passenger plane of Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) was preparing to take off from the airport at around 8.12pm, when a joint group of KIA and PDF groups allegedly fired FPV suicide drones at it, causing minor damage to the aircraft's nose, mid-body, and taillights.
The press release stated that after the attack, security forces quickly evacuated those in need and provided rescue services, and that no passengers or flight crew were harmed, killed, or injured in the incident.
The press release stated that the deliberate attack on a civilian airline, which greatly facilitates the flow of non-military public transport and goods, constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and international law.
Security forces are continuing to carry out necessary security operations in the area and will respond effectively and decisively.
KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu denied the incident to the BBC, saying the KIA has no policy of attacking airlines carrying civilians and that the group has not taken any action in this regard.
Currently, according to the road conditions, Myitkyina Airport is an air transport hub that facilitates non-military public transportation and the rapid flow of goods from Kachin State to Yangon and Mandalay.
Air security forces were able to intercept the drones after they were detected by air defence systems.
This prevented the drones from exploding inside the airport, but instead crashed on the runway and nearby areas.
Security forces defused the explosive devices on the drones to protect the public.
The KIA and PDF affiliates are reportedly carrying out attacks to undermine the government's governance mechanism and disrupt regional peace and stability by detonating mines, firing rockets from a distance, and dropping bombs using drones on infrastructure, roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. - Eleven Media/ANN
