Weekly Analysis: Brutal Escalation of Violence Threatens Civilian Lives and Undermines Security
May 19, 2025
Over the last week, the military junta has carried out violent acts during its aerial and ground strikes against women and children across the country, including the Sagaing region, where military jets intentionally bombed a school, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 youths. This attack occurred in an area where no fighting was taking place, and no local armed actors were present. In targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) in Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region, assaults on innocent civilians have also increased, killing many innocent people, including monks.
A respected abbot lost his life after an artillery shell struck a monastery in Hlaing Kwe village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State. The tragic incident occurred at 10 AM on May 9, 2025, during intense fighting between junta forces and joint resistance groups near Kyon Doe Town. An artillery shell landed directly on the Hlaing Kwe village monastery, seriously injuring the abbot, U Thu Zar Ta, who was inside at the time. U Thu Zar Ta, aged 56, sustained shrapnel wounds to his back and arms. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he sadly passed away while being transported.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Military Junta Deploys Violence at Checkpoints While Continuing to Extort Travellers in Southeastern Burma
May 12, 2025
The military junta has used a variety of corrupt and deceitful tactics to intimidate local civilians in Burma. Across targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), in Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi Region, there remain heightened uncertainties at junta-backed checkpoints.
On May 1, 2025, junta troops stationed near the entrance of Sein Bon village in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, launched a surprise attack on a passing vehicle. The vehicle was ambushed by soldiers who had been lying in wait. The gunfire resulted in the deaths of three men travelling in the car. The attack occurred near the entrance to Sein Bon village, part of the Nat Kyi Sin village tract. The victims were identified as Ko Hla Myint, 40, from Phya-thone-Zu village; an unidentified man believed to be around 30 years old from Thatkhwe 4; and another man, aged 35, from Sein Bon village. All three were killed at the scene.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Forced Conscription Ramps Up in Mon State
May 5, 2025
The military junta is targeting youth to fight on the battlefields amid their ongoing losses of key territory and strategic positions. In target areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), the regime’s recruitment efforts are taking a toll on youth, including women who are now also being forced to enlist. The rate of extortion, bribery, and illegal conduct by the Burmese Military is part of their brutal campaign intended to isolate and instill fear in innocent communities across the country.
In Mon State, the military junta and its appointed local administrators are intensifying efforts to forcibly recruit civilians and extort money under the guise of military conscription. These actions are linked to the regime’s plan to initiate the 13th round of People’s Military Service training, with local authorities across townships starting to collect money or individuals through coercion.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Attacks in Karen State by the Military Junta Kill Women and Children
April 21, 2025
Over the last week, attacks in targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland escalated, particularly in Karen State. The military junta has not only continued to violate the ceasefire it declared following the earthquake, but they have also exhibited an alarming disregard for civilian lives and their overall well-being. Airstrikes and aerial attacks by the military across townships in Karen State led to the deaths and injuries of women and children.
On April 16, 2025, just after 12:40 PM, the junta launched yet another airstrike targeting civilians in Karen State, this time dropping bombs on Myaukkanmayaik village, Kawkareik Township, using a Harbin Y-12 aircraft. A pregnant woman, just days away from giving birth, was tragically killed on the spot. At least six other civilians were seriously injured, including a 7-year-old child. The attack occurred during the traditional Thingyan New Year festival, when most villagers were home participating in religious and cultural ceremonies.
Read moreWeekly 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.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Airstrikes, Artillery Attacks Persist in the Aftermath of the Earthquake in Burma
April 7, 2025
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake across Burma on 28 March 2025 was the latest in a series of catastrophic events for innocent civilians. The natural disaster follows Typhoon Yagi, which flooded communities nationwide at the end of last year. In the aftermath, local people are being bombarded with attacks from the air and ground by the terrorist junta. There are significant risks for civilians who have been repeatedly displaced and are fearful of further assaults. Even amidst earthquake relief efforts, the junta has not hesitated to fire upon innocent villagers.
During these difficult times, the junta insists on war. Only a dictator as ruthless as coup leader Min Aung Hlaing would seek attacks on the most vulnerable during a dark moment as survivors grieve and attempt to cope in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Increasing Use of Drone Attacks by the Military Junta Raises Alarm in Local Communities
March 24, 2025
Due to the junta’s extensive losses on the battlefield, the terrorist military junta is turning to other forms of attacks, primarily from the air. Their dependence on advanced weaponry and surveillance from countries like China, India, and Russia has been devastating for local communities who are the regime’s targets. In specific areas noted by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region, civilians are being maimed by drone strikes carried out by the junta.
The military in Mon State has intensified its drone attacks on villages in Kyaikhto Township despite no active clashes in the area. These targeted strikes have led to civilian injuries, the destruction of homes and public infrastructure, and significant damage to livelihoods, including farms and businesses.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Landmines Post Life-Threatening Risks to Conflict-Affected Communities in Southeastern Burma
March 17, 2025
Over the last week in targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland, including Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi Region, civilians faced immense risks and threats to their lives due to landmines. The military junta deliberately places and hides landmines and unexploded ordnance devices in civilian areas to instill fear and uncertainty.
Many who accidentally step do so while on their way to work or tend to their harvests. The explosions have injured and killed men, women and children. Survival rates are low, and treatment is costly and painful. Further, survivors face additional barriers in earning an income and fleeing during attacks by the junta.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Displaced Villagers Unable to Return Home in Conflict-Torn Mon State
March 10, 2025
Throughout targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region, attacks by the junta have been forcing civilians to flee.
Despite no active fighting around Kyone Long (Old) village in Ye Township, Mon State, junta troops remain stationed in the area, preventing 456 displaced villagers from returning to their homes. Junta soldiers have set up camp at a monastery in Eye Poke village, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for those who fled.
Weekly Analysis: Airstrikes Wreak Havoc and Terror Across Southeastern Burma
February 24, 2025
February 2025 | Week Three
Over the past week, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) documented several instances of junta-deployed airstrikes in our targeted areas of Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi region. According to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU) Central, junta forces bombed three villages in Kyaikhto and Bilin Townships, Mon State, on February 13, despite the absence of ongoing clashes. The airstrikes resulted in three fatalities and ten injuries. On the same day, three 500-pound bombs were dropped on Pain Nae Kone and Kaw Kat villages in Kyaikhto Township, as well as Ta Gay Laung Chaung Phyar village in Bilin Township.
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