Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing has ordered an escalation of airstrikes across the country, according to military sources in Naypyidaw. The intensification of aerial attacks is expected to increase particularly before the rainy season begins, as part of efforts to reclaim lost territories. The military council plans to conduct simultaneous ground and air operations under their ‘Nan Naing Min’ military campaign.
Military sources have warned that airstrikes will increase significantly during May and June. The military council launched the ‘Nan Naing Min’ operation on September 1, 2024, with the primary objective of recapturing lost territories and completely suppressing armed resistance groups. The council has declared that this operation is independent of any electoral process or political transitions.
In recent air attacks, on April 18, strikes on Leikgya village and Yaytwut village in Sagaing Region’s Thabeikkyin Township resulted in 13 civilian deaths and 3 injuries. The following day, on April 19, another airstrike on Yaytwut village killed an additional 24 civilians. In Sagaing Region’s Myinmu Township, an unprovoked airstrike on Kantaw village resulted in approximately 5 civilian deaths, including children.
Furthermore, an airstrike targeted a monastery in Minsaw village, Bilin Township, Mon State, killing 2 civilians and injuring 2 novice monks. In Rakhine State’s Kyauktaw town, aerial bombardment resulted in at least 1 civilian death and over 20 injuries, with residents having no time to evacuate. In total, these air strikes over two days resulted in a confirmed death toll of 45 civilians.
