Report details wanton nature of junta’s air campaign against civilians

By Admin 19 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
19 April 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime carried out more than 750 airstrikes in the four months from September to December 2023, Justice for Myanmar said in a report released on April 15.

The regime carried out six airstrikes per day on average across the country, said the report.

Junta air raids have continued to be reported daily since January. Civilian casualty figures keep increasing.

“The regime is venting its anger on civilians in response to its defeats,” said a resident of Kyauktaw town in Arakan State.

Junta airstrikes killed 22 civilians in Minbya Township on March 18, and five civilians in Mrauk-U Township on March 21, reported Justice for Myanmar. Many civilian houses and a public hospital in Ramree town were damaged in junta airstrikes in February, it added.

Myanmar’s neighbour India enables the regime to conduct air attacks on civilians, claims the report.

India sells weapons, aviation fuel and plane parts to the regime and also provides military training and technology, said Justice for Myanmar.

One analyst of the political situation in Arakan State said: “It is unacceptable that India sells aviation fuel and weapons to the regime for its benefits. It amounts to killing civilians in Myanmar. It is time India reconsidered its stance on the regime.”

The United National Human Rights Council warned last month that the regime had stepped up its terror campaign against civilians in response to its military defeats. The council called on the international community not to sell weapons and military equipment to the regime.