Weekly Analysis: Junta-Deployed Airstirke Target Civilians

November 11, 2024

HURFOM: In the target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland, including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi region, civilians are repeatedly under fire from escalating military junta attacks. The increasing brutality is evident in the continued inaction of the international community, which has failed to transform its response to the multiple crises in Burma into tangible actions that would hold the terrorist regime accountable.

During the last week, the junta deliberately set homes on fire, tortured civilians in custody, and fired at individuals and their villages. Airstrikes are also being conducted at an alarming rate, particularly in the Tanintharyi region, where violence has steadily escalated over the past several months.

A junta-led airstrike in Taku Subtown, Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, has injured one civilian and destroyed two homes in Koe Inn village. The attack occurred at 11:30 AM on November 4, when junta forces struck Ban Pyae village in Thein Daw village tract, dropping two 250-pound bombs. After this, a K8W fighter jet from the military dropped four more bombs over Koe Inn village.

“A bomb hit directly on the homes. The injured person was struck by shrapnel. At a time like this, with limited access to proper medication and skilled medical care, civilians wounded by these strikes often have to treat their injuries in makeshift ways. Some wounds worsen because proper healing is impossible,” a resident from Koe Inn shared.

“Everyone here lives in constant fear, uncertain of when an artillery shell or bomb might strike their home. People are too traumatized and fearful to even work for survival,” they added.

The injured civilian, identified as 22-year-old Ko Wonna Kyaw, suffered shrapnel injuries to his leg from the attack. Earlier, on October 26, the junta conducted simultaneous airstrikes using K8W fighter jets and MI2 helicopters on the Ban Pyae villages in East Laethit and Thein Daw village tracts, injuring three residents in Laethit village.

Due to the intensity and frequency of the junta’s attacks, internally displaced people (IDPs) are being prevented from returning safely to their homes, which has led to worsening food shortages. In September alone, 16 civilians in the Tanintharyi Region were killed by junta forces through shootings, artillery strikes, and drone attacks, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by locals in the area.

The global community must take the suffering of innocent civilians in Burma seriously and strive to fulfill their needs by creating safe and accessible routes to justice, protection, and the resources necessary for their daily survival. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, targeted sanctions, a global arms embargo, and a referral of the human rights situation to the International Criminal Court.

Overview of Main Cases

Local Civilian Killed, Seven Injured in Bilin Township Amid Junta Troop Assaults A local civilian was killed, and seven others were injured in Bilin Township, Mon State, following a series of violent acts by junta troops. According to Padoh Saw Aye Naing, Secretary of the KNU’s Thaton District, the incident occurred between Mae Pa Le and Wa Khaw Pau villages when junta soldiers arbitrarily detained and attacked villagers.
Woman Arrested in Ye by Junta Troops Over Alleged Ties to the Opposition On October 30, a local woman from Chaung Taung village, Ye Township, Mon State, was reportedly detained by junta troops at her home under suspicions of connections with the People’s Defense Forces.
Body of Young Man Found After Arrest by Junta Troops in Thayetchaung Township, Dawei The body of a young man arrested by junta forces during a raid in Thayet Hnakhwa village, Tanintharyi Region, was discovered on November 2.
Elderly Woman Killed, Granddaughter Injured in Police Shelling in Theinzayat Town, Mon State On November 5, three police officers arrived by car near Street 3 in Ward No. 5, in Theinzayat Town, Mon State. The officers fired two 60-mm artillery shells that directly struck the residence of Daw Khin Myint on Street No. 5. She was killed instantly and her granddaughter was injured.
Intense Shelling by Junta Forces Destroys Anan Kwin Village and Displaces Residents Since the morning of November 2nd, the military junta has fired around 20 rounds of artillery into the Anan Kwin village area, located along the Thanbyuzayat–Three Pagodas Road near the Mon State and Karen State border. Shelling has continued intermittently, shaking the ground and instilling fear in the surrounding communities.
Junta Troops Shoot and Kill Local Mason at Long Lone Checkpoint Junta troops stationed at an immigration checkpoint in Long Lone Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, shot and killed a man at 9 AM on October 31st.