Weekly Analysis: Artillery Shells Fired by the Junta Leave Civilians in Fear and Force Displacement

April 14, 2025

People in Burma are reeling in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake as the number of those killed, wounded and missing continues to rise. And yet, the military junta has continued to fire relentlessly upon innocent civilians across the country. In targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi region, the military has fired upon homes and villages, further displacing innocent communities.

Two civilians were injured, and a home was destroyed after junta troops launched artillery shells into a village in Mon State’s Thanbyuzayat Township. The attack occurred on the evening of April 5, at 6 PM, when artillery fired from the Waekalee-based military command exploded inside the residential area of Kalaing Padaw village. There was no active fighting in the area at the time.

“A 120mm artillery shell landed and exploded in someone’s yard. A man and a woman were injured, and the house caught fire,” said one resident.

The injured were identified as Nai Kin, 38, and his wife, Mi Tin, 36. Nai Kin reportedly sustained severe injuries to his right hand and abdomen, while Mi Tin was hit on her left arm and right leg. Their home, owned by Daw Mee, was also completely destroyed in the fire, and five family members were displaced. The couple is now receiving medical treatment at Mawlamyine General Hospital.

Despite the junta’s announcement of a temporary 20-day ceasefire due to earthquake-related concerns, artillery shelling and airstrikes have continued in parts of Mon State and other areas. Since the beginning of this year, junta attacks in Mon State have increased, including the use of heavy weapons and aerial bombings. Civilian casualties have also been on the rise.

In a separate case, in Launglon Township, Dawei District, junta forces have been launching indiscriminate artillery attacks on civilian areas while also advancing on foot towards Min Yat village. Artillery shells fired from Dawei town have reportedly continued throughout the morning.

On April 10, clashes broke out near the Myanmar Customs Department in Kyatsarpyin Ward, Dawei town. Following the fighting, junta troops began mobilizing and moving towards Launglon Township. In addition to artillery shelling from Dawei, the junta is also using high-end drones to drop bombs on villages. As a result, many residents are forced to flee their homes for safety.

Resistance groups report that junta forces have been targeting not only homes but also schools, churches, monasteries, and religious sites with these indiscriminate attacks. Local communities remain in fear, as even areas far from conflict lines are no longer safe from these brutal assaults.

Overview of Main Cases

• Junta Troops Launch Indiscriminate Artillery Attacks in Launglon Township, Arbitrarily Arrest Local Civilian
In Launglon Township, Dawei District, junta forces have been launching indiscriminate artillery attacks on civilian areas, while also advancing on foot towards Min Yat village, according to local sources. Artillery shells fired from Dawei town reportedly continued throughout the morning.

In addition, junta troops reportedly arrested a young man, Than Htaik Oo, in his 20s, from Ywa Haung Wa village. He was working in a rubber plantation near Min Yat when he was detained.

• Junta Forces Arbitrarily Detain 20 Civilians and Force Them to Serve as Porters in Yebyu Township, Dawei
On the morning of April 7, junta troops operating near Zardee Village Tract, Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, arbitrarily detained around 20 local men from Phar Chaung Inn village and forced them to serve as porters, according to local sources.

The military column, estimated to be about 100 soldiers, arrived in Phar Chaung Inn at approximately 7:50 AM after advancing from the direction of Zardee village. On arrival, they began detaining men they encountered in the area and forced them to carry military equipment.

Five Escape, One Successfully Flees, Four Recaptured After Being Deported from Thailand to Kaw Thaung for Conscription
A group of young men who were deported from Thailand back to Burma through the Kaw Thaung border were being forcibly recruited into military training by the junta. Among them, five attempted to escape. One successfully fled, while four were recaptured. Their families and relatives reportedly have no knowledge of their whereabouts.

According to local sources, these individuals were taken to the Light Infantry Battalion No. 431 in Kaw Thaung Township for military training. The escape reportedly occurred in the last week of March.

• Two Civilians Injured, Home Destroyed in Junta Shelling on Thanbyuzayat Village
Two civilians were injured and a home was destroyed after junta troops launched artillery shells into a village in Mon State’s Thanbyuzayat Township.