The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) reports that the Myanmar military council has increased attacks on civilian areas in the Karen State, intensifying airstrikes, artillery shelling, and drone strikes.
According to KHRG spokesperson Saw Nan Da Hsu, the military has deliberately targeted civilian buildings, including churches, schools, and hospitals, committing severe human rights violations.
“In addition to airstrikes and artillery, drone attacks have been increasingly used. These attacks primarily target villages, not avoiding civilian areas. Whether intentional or reckless, the attacks have been causing great damage. Schools and religious buildings like churches are being completely destroyed. Not only civilians but also many domesticated animals have been killed. This is an attack targeting civilians,” Saw Nan Da Hsu said.
He further explained that the military’s human rights violations and abuses have not only caused civilian deaths but also led to psychological trauma, forced displacement, food shortages, lack of access to education and healthcare, and livelihood challenges.
According to KHRG documentation, since the coup took place three and a half years ago, 920 civilians have been killed due to artillery shelling, and 385 have been killed in airstrikes in Karen State. Additionally, landmines and unexploded ordnance have claimed 97 civilians, including children. These figures are based on the data gathered by KHRG, and it is believed that the actual number of casualties on the ground could be higher.
Saw Nan Da Hsu added, “Innocent civilians are still being killed even when there is conflict in the area. Due to the reckless shooting, children are unable to attend school for an entire year. Villagers are forced to flee to safer places.”
On September 3, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military council, stated during a trip to Shan State that the military would respond as necessary to reports of towns and villages being occupied by ethnic armed groups. Following this statement, the military carried out consecutive airstrikes on targets in ethnic regions.
The military council has been launching intense airstrikes in the areas controlled by ethnic armed groups and revolutionary forces, including Shan, Karenni (Kayah), Karen, Rakhine, and Kachin states, as well as in Ta’ang areas.
