Karen Rebels Destroy 2 MiG-29s Among 3 Fighter Jets in Myanmar Air Base Attack

Three Myanmar junta combat aircraft were destroyed in an attack on an airbase in Magwe Region organized by Karen rebels.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), teamed up with resistance allies to fire three improvised rockets into the airbase on November 16, hitting two MiG-29s fighters and killing at least eight troops.

“We can confirm that two MiG-29s and another fighter jet were destroyed and at least eight troops were killed,” Padoh Saw Taw Nee, a KNU spokesman, told The Irrawaddy.

The Eagle People’s Defence Force also stated that its members coordinated with the KNLA and other resistance groups to fire three improvised 170mm rockets into the airbase and shoot troops with rifles.

The group’s commander Saw David said: “This attack is revenge for atrocities in Karen and Kachin states. If they kill one civilian, we will kill 10 junta troops. These junta aircraft have been used to slaughter innocent civilians.”

After the attack, junta troops were deployed in Magwe town, tightening security and checking commuters, according to residents.

Magwe Airbase was has been attacked twice recently - in August 2021 and April 2022.

Almost 6,000 Myanmar junta troops have reportedly been killed in clashes in Karen State since last year, including around 369 deaths in October.