Save the Children issued a statement on September 16 saying that the organization is horrified by reports that at least 11 children have been killed and 17 others injured in an attack on a school in Myanmar on 16 September.

It expressed its deepest condolences to the families who had lost children and loved ones in this attack.

On September 17 also, the organization called again for International Humanitarian Law to be upheld and that children and schools must be off-limits from attacks, the statement said.

It once again called for this violence to end immediately and for children and civilians to be kept out of harm’s way as children are seen bearing the brunt of conflict.

Hassan Noor, Save the Children’s Asia Regional Director, said in the statement:

“The heads of governments from around the world meet in New York this week for the UN General Assembly. They must condemn this attack and do everything in their power to hold perpetrators of such crimes to account. We ask for the UN Security Council to urgently hold an open meeting on Myanmar and to pass a resolution to protect the rights of children in Myanmar, including their right to a safe education. We ask ASEAN to step up and take action. How many more incidents like this need to take place before action is taken?”

UNICEF Myanmar also issued a statement on September 19 offering codolences to the parents and families who lost their children. Apart from at least 11 children dead, at least 15 children from the same school are still missing. Therefore, UNICEF calls for their immediate and safe release, the statement pointed out.

In response to the incident, the information team of the State Administration Council released a news statement on September 16 saying that KIA (Kachin Independence Army) and PDF (People’s Defence Force) members would transport arms, ammunition and explosives via nearby areas of Letyetgon village, Debayin Township, Sagaing Region. Some NLD (National League for Democracy) and PDF members were hiding in the compound of the village monastery from which they were commit destructive acts and seeking extortion from local people and travellers in Debayi Township. Acting on a tip-off, regional security forces were sent there by helicopter to make a surprise check.

Using local villagers as human shield, KIA and PDF troops carried out attacks from the monastery and the security troops returned fire. They then retreated to the west and northwest parts. Some arms and ammunition were seized.

Due to the fact that KIA and PDF used the villagers and their homes as human shield, there were some casualties of locals. The security forces provided necessary medical treatment and some emergency patients were sent to nearby hospitals, said the statement.