Myanmar Military’s Deadly Airstrikes in Karenni State Demand Urgent Action
Karenni State, Myanmar — The military junta has escalated its aerial campaign in southeastern Myanmar, with a series of deadly strikes leaving scores of civilians dead and entire communities devastated.
On August 17, junta aircraft bombed Mawchi, a mining town in Hpasawng Township under resistance control. The attack killed at least 32 civilians, marking the single deadliest airstrike in Karenni State since the February 2021 coup. Witnesses said two 500-pound bombs struck a residential neighborhood, also damaging a nearby hospital. Local residents described the incident as one of the worst deliberate assaults on unarmed civilians since the conflict began.
The assault came despite the absence of active ground clashes in the area. Analysts and local rights groups say the military has increasingly targeted civilian communities even when resistance fighters are not present.
Escalation of Air Raids
The August 17 strike was followed by additional air raids in Mawchi’s Kyaung Kyar Ward and Lo Khar Lo village on August 19, leaving four men critically injured. A day later, the military launched further attacks in Demoso Township, killing a 25-year-old man and injuring two others, including an 18-year-old girl.
Over the past two months, Hpasawng Township has faced near-daily bombardments, creating widespread fear and displacement.
Civilian Toll and Displacement
According to the Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC), junta airstrikes have killed 33 people and injured 94 between January and early July 2025. The latest strike in Mawchi was the 11th aerial attack on the settlement this year.
The IEC estimates that at least 80 percent of Karenni State’s population has been displaced over the past four years. Women and children are among the most vulnerable, often forced to flee to neighboring states or across the Thai border with little access to safety, shelter, or healthcare.
Condemnation from Rights Groups
The Karenni Human Rights Group (KHRG) strongly condemned the Mawchi strike, calling for an international arms embargo and targeted sanctions on aviation fuel. The IEC has echoed these demands, warning that the escalation of attacks on civilian areas constitutes war crimes.
“The junta is deliberately targeting communities with no military presence,” an IEC spokesperson said. “These are clear violations of international humanitarian law.”
International Response Lacking
Despite repeated appeals from civil society groups, regional and international responses remain limited. ASEAN has urged dialogue but continues to face criticism for engaging with the regime. Rights groups caution that legitimizing the junta’s planned elections or easing sanctions would embolden further atrocities.
Advocates are urging governments to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court and to strengthen humanitarian support for displaced populations.
Urgent Call for Action
As the military intensifies its aerial campaign, Karenni civilians face one of the most dangerous phases of the conflict. Without decisive international action, rights monitors warn that the cycle of violence and impunity will continue, exacting a growing toll on communities across Myanmar.
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