Regime carries out over 800 air raids in four months: research group

By Admin 10 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 October 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime carried out 820 air attacks in the four months from May through August, an average of nearly seven airstrikes every day, according to a recent report by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, an independent research group documenting armed conflict in the country.

Arakan State experienced 176 attacks resulting in 101 civilian fatalities - the highest number of airstrikes among 12 regions and states targeted by the junta's aerial bombardments during the period documented.

The second-highest figure was reported in northern Shan State, where 105 civilians were killed in 151 airstrikes, followed by Mandalay Region with 77 fatalities in 132 attacks. Significant civilian casualties were also reported in Sagaing and Magwe regions, and Kachin State.

The regime carried out six air attacks involving chemical bombs in northern Shan and Arakan states, according to the report.

One human rights activist from Arakan State said: "The regime will continue to target civilians unless and until the international community imposes stricter sanctions."

Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica's report also said the regime targeted 16 healthcare facilities, 28 schools, and 61 religious buildings.

Military analysts say the regime has stepped up its aerial campaign of death and destruction after designating the members of the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Arakkha Army (AA), as "terrorist organisations" following the fall of the Myanmar military's Northeastern Command in August.

The junta has been accused of primarily targeting civilian populations in resistance-controlled territories since the September 2 declaration.

"The regime has continuously targeted civilians and hospitals because it can't fight the armed groups," said a resident of Arakan State's Ponnagyun Township. "Civilians including children are being killed every day across the country. It is destroying the territories that it has lost control of."

According to Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, the regime carried out 3,291 air attacks from February 1, 2021 - when it toppled the previously ruling civilian government in a coup - to August 31 of this year, killing 1,749 civilians and wounding 2,453 others.