Weekly Analysis: Indiscriminate Firing Threatens Civilian Safety in Southeastern Burma
July 7, 2025
During the first week of July 2025, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) was alarmed by the escalation of targeted attacks by the military junta against women and children in specific areas of Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region. In Mon State specifically, between June 25 and 29, 2025, the military junta fired at least ten artillery shells into four villages—Kyauk Yay Twin, Pane Nell Gone, Zee Pyaung #1, and Win Kan—in Kyike Hto Township, Mon State. According to the Thaton District Karen National Union (KNU), there were no armed clashes in the area at the time of the attacks.
One local woman, Daw Htay from Kyauk Yay Twin village, was injured when artillery shrapnel struck her abdomen. In addition, four homes were damaged: one each in Zee Pyaung #1 and Kyauk Yay Twin, and two more in Win Kan village.
“The junta has been launching artillery attacks almost daily in Kyike Hto. We’ve documented every incident. I truly believe they will have to face justice one day,” said Pa Doe Saw Aye Nile, Secretary of the Thaton District KNU.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Refugee Rights are Human Rights
June 23, 2025
On International Refugee Day, observed on June 20, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) condemned all forms of violence against refugees and conflict-affected communities. Additionally, we called for immediate action to address their struggle. In targeted areas of HURFOM, including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi Region, conflict-affected communities are facing life-threatening challenges posed by the military junta, which is actively undermining their fundamental freedoms, including their basic human rights.
Dozens of cases documented by HURFOM illustrate a pattern of indiscriminate firing, targeting displaced communities who are sheltering from the violence that has consumed their daily lives. Since the earthquake at the end of March 2025, the junta has launched more than 920 airstrikes and artillery attacks, resulting in the deaths of at least 590 people, including many in Mon and Karen States and the Tanintharyi Region, where HURFOM is actively working. Even more troubling is that numerous attacks took place during the junta’s claimed “ceasefire” period.
Read moreWeekly 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.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Military Junta Arrests Displaced Villagers During Reinforcement Operations
June 9, 2025
The human rights situation in Southeastern Burma continues to deteriorate, with arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and indiscriminate attacks by the military junta steadily on the rise. In targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi region, the escalating levels of violence being perpetrated by the Burmese military continue to undermine civilian rights and freedoms, including basic protections.
As fighting intensifies in Long Lone Township, Dawei District, local sources have confirmed that junta troops reinforcing the area have arrested at least 15 displaced villagers they encountered on the road. On May 30, while travelling through remote routes from Dawei toward Long Lone for reinforcement, junta troops apprehended several internally displaced persons (IDPs). Among those detained were four villagers from Tha Byar, who had been sheltering in the area, and eleven residents from Long Lone Town, according to sources close to the families.
Read moreWeekly Analysis: Airstrikes in Southeastern Burma Force Civilians to Flee as Junta Increases Attacks
May 26, 2025
The military junta is aggressively targeting civilians across the country, as their violence shows no geographic boundaries or limitations. The frequency of airstrikes, in particular, is now nearly daily in the targeted areas highlighted by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), including Mon State, Karen State, and the Tanintharyi region. HURFOM and our network and partners have consistently called for a global arms embargo and targeted sanctions on aviation fuel. Too many futures have already been lost, and without immediate and urgent coordinated action, the everyday lives of civilians will continue to be rooted in fear.
One of the most alarming military escalations in recent months is unfolding in Kyaik Hto Township, Thaton District, Mon State. Since the third week of May, more than 18,000 people from at least 35 villages have been forced to flee as the junta intensifies militarization in the surrounding areas. The sheer speed and scale of this displacement signal a worsening humanitarian emergency in southeastern Burma.
Read moreWeekly 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 more