The Myanmar military council’s air force has imposed strict restrictions on social media usage for all officers and soldiers within its ranks, according to air force sources. This heightened restriction comes in the aftermath of a devastating airstrike on a school in Depayin Township on May 12, which resulted in the deaths of 22 schoolchildren and 2 teachers, with many others injured. The military council’s decision to implement these stringent measures was prompted by increasing calls for retaliation against air force personnel and their families on social media platforms, as well as the widespread sharing of photos and information about military officers, soldiers, and their family members.
According to the new directives issued within the air force, officers and soldiers must remove their real names, family photos, and images of relatives from social media platforms. They are strictly prohibited from posting any content related to their assigned bases or aircraft types. The directive specifically bans the posting of videos showing combat aircraft operations on social media platforms such as TikTok, and all previously posted content must be immediately removed. The military council has warned of disciplinary actions against those who fail to comply with these new restrictions.
Due to security concerns within the air force, families and relatives of fighter pilots are being housed within military compounds, a practice that has intensified following airstrikes resulting in high civilian casualties. The air force has constructed special accommodations and officer quarters to facilitate these protective measures. When the locations and addresses of air force officers’ families become public knowledge, many families have responded by relocating and selling their properties to protect themselves from potential retaliation. These security measures reflect the growing tension between the military council’s forces and the civilian population, as well as the increasing risks faced by military personnel and their families in the aftermath of attacks on civilian targets.
