• A Myanmar junta air strike killed 13 and injured several in a ruby mining hub.
• The attack occurred in Mogok, a key location for ruby trade controlled by rebels.
• The civil war has escalated since the 2021 military coup, creating widespread conflict.
• Opposition groups are boycotting upcoming elections as Aung San Suu Kyi remains jailed.
• The conflict has led to increased military conscription amid a harsh crackdown.

A Myanmar junta air strike on a rebel-occupied ruby mining hub killed 13 people on Saturday, as reported by a local resident and a spokesperson from an armed opposition group. The military has been facing strong resistance since the coup in 2021, which has intensified the ongoing civil war, and recent combined offensives have resulted in the rebels capturing significant areas, including the town of Mogok, a center of the ruby trade, according to Indiatimes, Dawn, and South China Morning Post.

The air strike occurred at around 08:15 a.m., with seven individuals killed instantly and six dying later from their injuries. Among the deceased were a Buddhist monk and a father and son on a motorbike. Additionally, injuries were reported for seven others, including a nearby driver, according to statements from local residents and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, which has asserted control over Mogok since last summer, as detailed by Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

The junta, having faced setbacks from rebel forces, has recently increased military conscription and retaken several settlements, including key gold mining hubs. Despite the military government's announcement of elections in December to supposedly move towards normalization, the ongoing situation, including the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, has led to boycotts from major opposition parties. A UN expert previously called the proposed elections a "fraud," indicating the international community's skepticism regarding the junta's legitimacy, according to Dawn and South China Morning Post.