Myanmar’s military junta has killed at least 86 people in a series of airstrikes since May 2, targeting sites across resistance-held territories.
Despite its earthquake truce, there have been about 58 airstrikes on civilian targets in resistance-held territory for the past two weeks, leaving at least 86 people dead and more than 200 injured, reports The Irrawaddy,
There have been reports of airstrikes in the Sagaing and Mandalay regions as well as in the states of Rakhine, Chin, Karen, Shan, Karenni, and Mon.
A junta fighter jet from Meiktila airport is accused of attacking a civilian National Unity Government school in O Htein Twin village in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday using widely prohibited cluster bombs. More over a hundred children were in the school learning when the incident occurred.
Two volunteer teachers in their early 20s and 22 children between the ages of seven and sixteen were murdered in the attack, while 102 people—mostly youngsters—were injured.
The airstrike on the school by the junta was denounced by France, Canada, and Australia.
In Mawlu town, which is in resistance-held territory in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, two fighter jets from Tada-U airport attacked residences and a school on Monday using three bombs and rockets.
According to the Indaw Revolution, which keeps track of junta atrocities, the airstrike destroyed homes and school facilities and left two people dead and seven injured.
The Arakan Army (AA) controlled Tun Ya Wai hamlet in Rathedaung Township in Rakhine State was attacked by the regime on Tuesday, killing 13 people—including children—and injuring at least 20 more.
Zeya, a former sergeant in the air force who became involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement following the coup in 2021, told The Irrawaddy that the dictatorship intentionally targets civilians in an effort to coerce well-known opposition organizations into pursuing peace.
“For the resistance groups, the people’s support is the most important factor. The regime knows that if the people demand that they stop fighting, the resistance groups will have to respond. That’s why the regime targets civilians,” said Zeya.
On Wednesday, an airstrike struck the AA-controlled town of Kyauktaw in Rakhine, killing two civilians and wounding numerous more. On Thursday, it struck the town as well, killing seven residents and wounding four more.
The attacks were denounced by the AA as crimes against humanity and war crimes. It promised to provide international bodies with proof of war crimes committed by the junta.
Following the Ta'ang National Liberation Army's refusal to cede the towns to the state during China-mediated peace negotiations in Kunming in late April, the regime increased airstrikes on towns controlled by the armed group in northern Shan State in May.
Two bombs delivered by regime aircraft on Tuesday destroyed shelters at the Bangkok Refugee Camp, which was housing displaced persons in La Ei hamlet, Pekon Township, southern Shan State.
Ten displaced persons, including children, were killed and more than twenty were injured when Junta aircraft struck the camp between September and November of 2024.
According to the Pyin Oo Lwin People's Defense Force, an airstrike on a camp for displaced people in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, on Thursday killed two individuals and injured nine others, including four children and a monk.
The civilian Human Rights Ministry claims that by May 7, the regime had carried out 372 airstrikes on civilian targets in 13 of 15 states and areas following the earthquake on March 28. These strikes had killed 334 people and injured 552 more.
