Airstrikes in the Myanmar civil war (2021–present)

Airstrikes by Myanmar military
Part of Myanmar civil war (2021–present)
From top to bottom, left to right:
  • MAF bombing of Kyauktaw
  • Military bombing of Lashio, Shan State
  • House damaged due to bombing in Bhamo
LocationAcross Myanmar (significantly in Sagaing Region, Rakhine state, Chin State and parts of Shan State)
Date25 March 2021 – present
(4 years, 11 months, 3 weeks and 2 days)
Attack type
Bombardment
Deaths4000+[a]
Injured10,000+
Perpetrator Myanmar

The Myanmar Air Force has conducted numerous concerted aerial bombings on different states of Myanmar during the Myanmar Civil War which started since 2021.[1][2][3]

Background

Main articles: Myanmar civil war (2021–present) and Myanmar conflict

The Myanmar civil war began after the military coup on February 1, 2021, when the Tatmadaw seized power from the elected government, sparking nationwide protests and armed resistance. Since then, ethnic armed groups have been occupying territories in the country. Unable to resist, the Myanmar junta has conducted airstrikes, causing widespread damage and casualties.[4][5][2]

Attacks

Schools

The military junta has intensified its aerial campaign against schools which have killed dozens of students and teachers across Rakhine, Sagaing, and Chin states.[6][7] Between May and October 2025, bombings on schools in several townships have resulted in the deaths of more than 75 children and teachers, with hundreds more injured.[6]

Religious sites

According to multiple reports, the junta's forces have air-striked bombed and destroyed hundreds of religious sites, including Buddhist temples, Christian churches, and other faith buildings.[8][9] Since 2021, at least 200 religious sites were bombed with air strikes in conflict zones across major states and regions.[10][11] Air strikes have occurred numerous times even during major Buddhist festivals which resulted in killing and injuring dozens of civilians.[12][13]

Hospitals

Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights reported that the Myanmar military junta's attacks through air-raids on healthcare facilities and workers have severely hampered the emergency response (including during the 2025 Myanmar earthquake). The junta continued to block access to critical medical services in opposition-controlled areas and during military operations.[14][15] The military has conducted several notable airstrikes on hospitals and medical areas including the 2025 Mrauk U hospital airstrike.[16] The military and allied forces have attacked at least 263 healthcare facilities and killed at least 74 health workers, according to the Swiss NGO Insecurity Insight.[17][18]

Residential Homes, Weddings and funerals

The Junta has been accused of bombing directly on residential homes killing hundreds around Rakhine, Chin, and Sagaing regions.[19][20] It has also increasingly targeted civilian gatherings, including weddings and funerals.[21][22][23][24]

Casualties

According to BMC reports, since early 2021 to November 2024, the junta carried out around 4,020 airstrikes nationwide which resulted in approximately 2,250 deaths and about 3,400 injuries. Sagaing Region experienced the most airstrikes of any region with more than 700 airstrikes. Northern Shan State has suffered 680 airstrikes, the second most during the period and Rakhine State has experienced around 600 airstrikes, the third most during the period.[25]

According to Radio Free Asia, from 2021 to 2024, the airstrikes has led to 5,489 civilian casualties with around 1,769 dead and 3,720 injured.[26]

In the year 2025 alone, the junta has conducted 5,608 aerial attacks killing approximately 2,181 civilians.[27]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ Graceffo, Antonio (2025-03-03). "Airstrikes: The Last Bastion of Junta Power in Myanmar". Geopolitical Monitor. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  2. ^ a b "UN decries deadly Myanmar airstrike, amid mounting military attacks on civilians". United Nations.
  3. ^ "In rebel-held Myanmar, civilians flee junta airstrikes and a forced election". www.bbc.com. 2025-12-21. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  4. ^ Swe, Nyein. "Junta uses air power to retaliate against resistance advances in central, northwestern Myanmar". Myanmar Now. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  5. ^ "Myanmar junta launches fresh air raids in rebel territory". France 24. 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  6. ^ a b "Junta increases airstrikes on schools in resistance-held areas, escalating child casualties – Eu SEE". 2025-10-20. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  7. ^ Fortifyrights (2025-11-19). "Myanmar: Junta Airstrikes Kill Civilians and Destroy Schools, Churches, and Medical Facilities Ahead of Sham Elections". Fortify Rights. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  8. ^ "Myanmar Junta Accused of Targeting Religious Buildings". The Irrawaddy.
  9. ^ Fides, Agenzia. "ASIA/MYANAMAR - Temples, churches, schools, monasteries destroyed: the wounds of war on communities of believers - Agenzia Fides". www.fides.org. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  10. ^ "Burmanisation And Buddhisation - Accelerating The Decline Of Religious Rights In Myanmar" (PDF).
  11. ^ Burmese, R. F. A. (2023-09-08). "With nearly 200 destroyed, religious buildings targeted by Myanmar's junta". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  12. ^ "Myanmar: At least 24 killed as army paraglider bombs Buddhist festival". www.bbc.com. 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  13. ^ "Air strike on Buddhist monastery in Myanmar kills more than 20 people". ABC News. 2025-07-12. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  14. ^ "2025 Deadliest Year for Children in Myanmar Since Coup: UN". The Irrawaddy.
  15. ^ "Myanmar: Junta Assault on Health Care Hinders Quake Response | Human Rights Watch". 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  16. ^ "Rights Groups Condemn Myanmar Military Airstrike on Hospital". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  17. ^ "Myanmar: Junta Assault on Health Care Hinders Quake Response | Human Rights Watch". 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  18. ^ "A Tragic Milestone: More Than 1,000 Attacks on Health Care in Myanmar Since the February 2021 Military Coup - Myanmar | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  19. ^ Jeremy (2023-04-13). "Myanmar's ruling junta confirms deadly airstrike on village". Intrigue. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  20. ^ Burmese, R. F. A. (2024-10-09). "'Direct hit' airstrike on homes kills 15 civilians in Myanmar's Rakhine state". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  21. ^ "Myanmar Junta Kills 27 Civilians in Airstrikes on Wedding and Funeral". The Irrawaddy.
  22. ^ "Junta Airstrike Hits Wedding in Myanmar's North, Dozens Feared Dead". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  23. ^ Now, Myanmar (2025-05-26). "Myanmar junta airstrike kills 10, including bride, at wedding in Bago Region". Myanmar Now. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  24. ^ "Junta Airstrike on Wedding Kills 10". Karen News. 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  25. ^ "Junta Airstrikes Increasingly Targeting Civilians". Burma News International. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  26. ^ Burmese, R. F. A. (2024-12-31). "Air, artillery strikes set grim benchmark for civilian casualties in Myanmar in 2024". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  27. ^ UN, Myanmar Mission To (2026-02-04). "Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar (16-12-2025 to 31-12-2025)". Retrieved 2026-03-07.
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