Aerial Attacks Carried Out by the Military Council (2)
Introduction
Since the onset of the Spring Revolution in February 2021, the Military Junta has not only directed its aerial attacks towards the military base area of Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations, People’s Defence Forces, but has also extended its targets to the gathering spots of civilians, health infrastructures, educational institutions, places of worship, residential complexes, and even the temporary shelters provided for internally displaced persons.
As per comprehensive observations, the Military Junta predominantly employs a variety of aerial assets, including fighter jets, helicopters, drones and training aircrafts for various purposes. These include (1) carrying out aerial operations, (2) conducting airstrikes during ground offensives, (3) executing aerial attacks when their military bases or columns are attacked (4) gathering information through reconnaissance, (5) replenishing/relocating troops and (6) transporting military resources.
From May 2023 to August 2023, the military council conducted airstrikes on 104 days out of 123 days, indicating that aerial attacks occurred almost daily. During these 4 months, the Military Council carried out a total of 272 incidents of airstrikes, which equates to an average of 2 incidents per day.
The military council conducted the highest incidents of airstrikes: 71 incidents in Karenni, Sagaing experienced 69 incidents, while Chin, Karen, and Kachin, each witnessed 29, 23, and 22 incidents respectively. The areas with the second highest incidents of airstrikes were 14 incidents in Shan (South), 12 incidents in Shan (North), 11 incidents in Bago, 10 incidents in Magway, and 6 incidents in Mon. Additionally, it was found that 2 incidents occurred in Tanintharyi, 2 incidents in Mandalay, and 1 incident in Nay Pyi Taw. From May 2023 to August 2023, a series of airstrikes executed by the military council led to the tragic demise of 72 civilians. Moreover, the incidents left 163 individuals wounded, while 33 religious buildings, 17 schools, and 4 health infrastructures were destroyed.
