Myanmar's military has intensified aerial attacks against civilians using low-cost aircraft like motorized paragliders and gyrocopters, according to a United Nations investigation.
The report by the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) indicates an escalation in these attacks, particularly in the months surrounding the country's army-organized elections in December and January, which have continued unabated.
Investigators documented a pattern of abuses, including deliberate arbitrary detention, torture, and sexual violence, that have worsened alongside the increased aerial assaults. The IIMM noted the military's increasing use of "double-tap" airstrikes, where a second strike targets first responders or those attempting to flee the initial attack.
These low-altitude strikes often utilize unguided explosives delivered by motorized paragliders, gyrocopters, and drones. In some instances in the Sagaing region, paramotor pilots have reportedly cut their engines to glide silently, leaving civilians with little warning to seek shelter.
Separately, the Arakan Army, a major ethnic armed group engaged in conflict with the government in Rakhine state, reported that approximately 20 civilians were killed and 22 injured in airstrikes between August 1 and August 11. One of these attacks reportedly involved up to eight aircraft and lasted about an hour.
The military government has not issued an immediate response to the U.N. findings or the Arakan Army's allegations. Previously, the military has stated it targets only legitimate combatants and has labeled resistance forces as terrorists.
An independent organization, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, tallies that more than 8,000 civilians have died and over 31,000 have been arrested by Myanmar's security forces since the military takeover in 2021.
The IIMM, established in 2018 by the U.N. Human Rights Council, has gathered evidence from over 1,600 sources and witnesses, intended for future prosecutions of those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The group's leader, Nicholas Koumjian, stated that the collected evidence represents the devastated lives of those affected by these crimes.
The investigation also includes allegations against armed groups opposing the military, such as the Arakan Army, who are accused of rape, summary executions, child recruitment, and the destruction of mosques. Additionally, the report notes arrests made under an electoral law that carries severe penalties for acts like criticizing elections online or distributing anti-election materials. Critics have largely dismissed the elections as a means to legitimize the military's continued control following the 2021 coup.