Weekly Analysis: Airstrikes Kill Civilians, Including Women and Children in Southeastern Burma

June 16, 2025

HURFOM: The junta’s barrage of bullets and bombs continues to be dropped from the skies, leaving thousands of conflict-affected communities, already deeply traumatized by the war, paralyzed in fear as they run for their lives. Airstrikes are occurring more frequently and without any warning, further heightening the distress and growing sense of insecurity among villagers. In the targeted areas of Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) is alarmed at the increase in airstrikes being deployed by the Burmese military. HURFOM condemned this escalation in a statement on 11 June.

On June 9th at 2 PM, at least six civilians, including three children, were killed when junta aircraft dropped bombs on Pai Yap village in Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Witnesses reported that five bombs were dropped, causing significant destruction.

One of the bombs hit a house being used as a classroom, where students were attending lessons. Among those killed were three young children, a female teacher, and two other residents, as well as at least 35 wounded. The injured were rushed to Kanyin Katai hospital with the support of local humanitarian teams and are currently undergoing treatment.

Earlier that morning, junta aircraft were also seen attacking the Kyondoe area. The same day in the afternoon, they targeted Pai Yap again with airstrikes, villagers confirmed. Since June 6, the junta has increased its military presence in both Kawkareik and Kyondoe, launching continuous air and artillery attacks on civilian areas.

Just two days prior, on June 7, the military bombed Ohntapin village in Kawkareik Township, injuring four civilians—one of them seriously. Although the junta has declared a temporary ceasefire across the country until June 30, the situation on the ground tells a different story. Their continued attacks have led to growing mistrust among civilians, who no longer believe in the sincerity of the junta’s public statements.

In a separate incident, on June 7, 2025, the military junta launched an aerial attack using a fighter jet on two villages—Kyauk Eye and Mell Kell—in the Taung Pyauk area of Tha Yet Chaung Township, Tanintharyi Region. According to the Karen National Union’s statement released on June 8, there were no armed clashes in the area at the time. Despite this, the junta’s fighter jet dropped two bombs on each village, killing a father and his young son, and injuring six others.

One of the bombs exploded near a home in Zee Pin Chaung Phyar Ward, Kyauk Eye village, killing 55-year-old U Than Aung and his 10-year-old son, Saw Than Win Htwe. The blast also injured six villagers, including U Than Aung’s wife, and destroyed both their house and a vehicle. This incident is not isolated. On March 3, a junta fighter jet bombed the closing ceremony of a school operated by the National Unity Government (NUG), injuring four people, including another 10-year-old child

According to the NUG, despite declaring a ceasefire between March 28 and May 30, the military junta’s air force conducted over 520 airstrikes across the country, killing 462 civilians and injuring 884.

Overview of Main Cases

Junta Airstrikes Kill Father and Son, Injure Six in Tha Yet Chaung, Tanintharyi Region
On June 7, 2025, the military junta launched an aerial attack
using a fighter jet on two villages—Kyauk Eye and Mell Kell—in
the Taung Pyauk area of Tha Yet Chaung Township, Tanintharyi
Region. According to the Karen National Union’s statement released
on June 8, there were no armed clashes in the area at the time.
Despite this, the junta’s fighter jet dropped two bombs on each
village, killing a father and his young son, and injuring six
others.
Junta Airstrike on Pai Yap Village Kills at Least Six, Including Children
At least six civilians, including three children, were killed when
junta aircraft dropped bombs on Pai Yap village in Kawkareik
Township, Karen State, according to local sources on the ground.
The airstrike occurred at 2 PM on June 9, despite no ongoing
clashes in the area. Eyewitnesses reported that five bombs were
dropped directly onto the village, causing significant destruction.
Civilian Killed by Junta Troops in Bilin Township, Mon State
A 52-year-old local man was shot and killed by junta forces near
Taung Soon village in Bilin Township, Mon State, according to
residents in the area. The incident happened at 5:30 PM on June 5, shortly after
resistance forces launched a landmine attack on a joint junta
force conducting inspections of unlicensed vehicles at a
checkpoint near the Taung Soon village bridge.
One Killed, Three Injured After Junta Launches Indiscriminate Shelling in Bilin Township, Bilin Township, Mon State
On the evening of June 11, at approximately 5:30 PM, junta forces
based in Bilin Township launched an indiscriminate artillery
attack that struck Aloo Gyi village, resulting in the death of
one civilian and injuries to at least three others. Local sources
confirmed to HURFOM that the shelling was unprovoked and
occurred in the absence of any active fighting in the area.
Paung Township Resident Arrested for Criticizing Junta’s Crackdown on Unlicensed Vehicles
A local man from Kadar Myo Thit Ward in Paung Township, Mon
State, has been arrested and charged after criticizing the junta’s
recent crackdown on unlicensed vehicles—a policy widely viewed
by locals as corrupt and unjust.