Daily Airstrikes in Southern Burma Fuel Fear and Displacement as Civilians Bear the Brunt of Junta’s Escalation

May 7, 2025

Almost daily aerial attacks by the military junta continue to threaten and terrorize civilians across southern Burma, significantly disrupting livelihoods and creating immense anxiety over safety and security. Military analysts suggest these intensified airstrikes aim to reclaim control and suppress local support for resistance movements, following heavy losses of ground troops in southern and southeastern Burma.

On May 6, 2025, around 8:10 a.m., two separate airstrikes were carried out in Thaton District, Mon State. The first occurred near Padauk Taw village in Kyaikto Township, and the second near Karaway Seik and Taungthusu villages in Bilin Township. Although the number of casualties is still under investigation, significant destruction to farms and livelihoods has already been observed, with large bomb craters damaging agricultural lands.

“This morning’s airstrikes forced many villagers from Padauk Taw, Karaway Seik, and Taungthusu, who were working in their fields, to immediately flee and seek shelter in nearby forests and makeshift bunkers,” explained a 30-year-old man from Padauk Taw village.

He added, “We are still assessing who might have been hurt. At the moment, we are collecting bomb fragments as evidence of these cruel acts, clearly demonstrating that they are using our tax money to attack innocent civilians.” Over 500 villagers from the three targeted villages and surrounding areas remain in hiding as of this afternoon, fearful of further air attacks and unable to safely return home, according to local information collectors.

In another incident in Zayat Seik village, Palaw Township of Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik District—also within HURFOM’s targeted documentation area—residents reported that the junta’s Coastal Regiment Command launched drone attacks followed by airstrikes from jet fighters.

“Around 1:00 p.m. today, without any active fighting, a junta fighter jet dropped a bomb into farmland near Zayat Seik village,” a 40-year-old villager from Zayat Seik confirmed. A female eyewitness from the village further noted, “Before the jets came, drones dropped three bombs near the football field. Shortly after, a fighter jet followed and dropped another bomb. Thankfully, no homes or individuals were harmed in these attacks.”

Located on the Union Highway between Dawei and Myeik and not far from Palaw town, Zayat Seik and nearby villages like Tapo have witnessed intense battles between junta forces and local resistance fighters over recent months. Due to ongoing military offensives, junta troops currently occupy areas around Sattawyar village.

A humanitarian aid worker from eastern Dawei recently shared the community’s concerns, “Nowhere feels safe anymore. We have to rely solely on our own instincts and limited information to survive. The junta has completely cut off food supplies, communications, and vital information, denying us our right to know and be informed. We are now living in constant fear and facing significant daily risks.”

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News