Myanmar’s military junta has launched 58 airstrikes in just two weeks across multiple regions, with the majority allegedly targeting civilian populations, according to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG). The report, released Friday, reveals an alarming increase in aerial assaults on non-military targets as the junta continues its crackdown on resistance forces and ethnic minority communities.
The air raids, carried out between April 29 and May 13, struck 10 of the country’s states and regions, including the embattled Sagaing, Magwe, Chin, and Karen areas. According to the NUG’s Ministry of Defense, at least 47 civilians have been killed and 81 injured during this wave of attacks. The airstrikes have hit homes, schools, religious sites, and camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In a statement, the NUG described the air raids as “terrorist acts” and “gross violations of international humanitarian law,” accusing the junta of deliberately targeting civilians to crush growing resistance. The military has yet to comment on the latest allegations.
In one of the deadliest attacks, the regime bombed a school and monastery in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region, killing 10 civilians, including four children. Human rights organizations and international observers have condemned the strike, calling it a blatant war crime.
The junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has intensified its use of airpower in recent months after losing ground to resistance groups on multiple fronts. Pro-democracy forces under the NUG, as well as ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), have claimed a series of tactical victories, capturing military outposts and tightening control over rural areas.
Despite the regime’s efforts to maintain dominance through overwhelming force, local resistance movements continue to grow. The NUG claims the military’s increased reliance on indiscriminate air attacks reflects desperation rather than strategic strength.
Independent monitoring groups, such as the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), have documented a rise in junta airstrikes since early 2024. They report that Myanmar’s military has conducted more than 600 air attacks this year alone, with civilian casualties mounting steadily.
UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has condemned the military’s aerial assault campaign, stating it constitutes “a pattern of war crimes.” He urged the international community to enforce stricter arms embargoes and sanction Myanmar’s military-linked companies supplying aviation fuel.
Meanwhile, humanitarian access in affected regions remains severely restricted. Thousands have fled their homes, seeking shelter in forests and makeshift camps. Relief groups say they are struggling to deliver aid due to security threats and junta-imposed blockades.
The escalation comes as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) faces renewed criticism for its inability to enforce the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, which includes a call to end violence and begin dialogue. Observers argue that without coordinated international pressure, the junta will continue to act with impunity.
As Myanmar’s civil conflict deepens, the international community faces increasing pressure to take meaningful action to stop the regime’s war on its own population. For now, the skies remain deadly for many innocent civilians caught in the junta’s relentless bombing campaign.
Source; The Irrawaddy
