Bangkok: An air strike by Myanmar’s military on December 5 targeted a tea shop in Mayakan village (formerly Depayin) in Sagaing’s Tabayin township, killing at least 18 civilians and injuring 20, according to a local resident and independent media reports.

The attack occurred shortly after 8 p.m., with two bombs dropped by a jet fighter exploding soon after air raid sirens sounded. The tea shop was filled with people watching a Myanmar vs. Philippines football match on television. Among the victims were a five-year-old child and two schoolteachers. Over 20 nearby houses were also damaged.

Tea shops in Myanmar serve as communal hubs similar to Western neighbourhood coffee shops, where locals gather to eat, drink sweet tea, socialise, and stay connected.

The resident, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of military arrest, said there was no recent fighting in the area, although Sagaing remains a stronghold of armed resistance against military rule. The military has intensified air strikes on the pro-democracy People's Defence Force and ethnic militias ahead of elections scheduled for December 28.

The military has not claimed responsibility for the strike. Following the funeral on Saturday, some villagers fled while others began constructing bomb shelters.

Independent outlets like Myanmar Now published images and videos purportedly showing debris from the attack.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, 2021, triggering violent conflict between military forces and pro-democracy fighters with frequent civilian casualties in aerial attacks.

With inputs from AP