JAKARTA – The chair of Asean on Thursday said the bloc strongly condemns a military air strike this week on a village in Myanmar, which is reported to have killed an estimated 130 people, including civilians and children.

Tuesday’s attack in the Sagaing area was the deadliest in a recent string of military air strikes, and has drawn international condemnation.

Myanmar has been in chaos since a military coup in early 2021 that upended a decade of tentative democratic reform, with a bloody crackdown on protests giving rise to an armed struggle against the junta.

“All forms of violence must end immediately, particularly the use of force against civilians,” Asean chair Indonesia said in a statement.

“This would be the only way to create a conducive environment for an inclusive national dialogue to find a sustainable peaceful solution in Myanmar.”

Singapore threw its support behind the Asean statement.

“Singapore is gravely concerned by these attacks,” Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Facebook, adding: “Any attack on civilians is reprehensible and cannot be condoned.

“We reiterate our commitment to work with Indonesia, other Asean member states, and our external partners to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Myanmar, in line with the five-point consensus.”

The five-point consensus is a peace plan drawn up in April 2021. It was intended to bring an end to the chaos following the February 2021 military coup.

A junta spokesman said Tuesday’s strike targeted a ceremony held by the National Unity Government for its armed People’s Defence Force, adding that the attack aimed to restore peace and stability in the region.

The strike drew international condemnation. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said he was “horrified” and that the victims included schoolchildren performing dances. REUTERS