Attachments
Summary. This report reviews the February 2025 developments relating to human rights in Myanmar.
I. Coup, Crackdown on Protests and Civilian Resistance
According to the Irrawaddy, the regime carried out airstrikes in 40 towns across Myanmar in January, killing over 170 people.1 Most of the victims of the airstrikes were civilians, as the regime reportedly deliberately targeted towns and villages, displacement camps, schools, hospitals and detention centers housing prisoners of war.2 Geographically, the main targets were territories held by ethnic rebel groups like the Arakan Army (“AA”), Kachin Independence Army (“KIA”), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (“TNLA”) in Rakhine, Kachin, Shan and Kayin states as well as resistance-held areas in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway in central Myanmar.
The Irrawaddy reports that records from ethnic armed organizations and military experts indicate that the military regime is using thermobaric bombs, which are more destructive than conventional high-explosive bombs.4 According to the sources, these bombs, also known as aerosol bombs, have been used in Shan State, Chin State, Kachin State and Sagaing Region.5 A thermobaric bomb consists of a fuel container with two separate explosive charges. When it hits its target, the first explosive charge blows open the container and widely disperses the fuel mixture as an aerosol. A second charge then detonates this aerosol, resulting in a huge fireball, a massive blast wave and a vacuum that sucks up all surrounding oxygen. Even if people are not directly hit by the explosion, they may still die from suffocation as the bombs suck up surrounding oxygen, said a weapons analyst.6 The shockwaves can damage victims’ hearing and lungs, and even if a bomb does not explode, the fuel can be poisonous, according to a report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
The resistance People’s Defense Force (“PDF”) No. 1 Military Region killed at least 22 junta troops and captured eight others in an ambush in Mandalay Region’s Natogyi Township on January 30.8 Combined PDF forces and local resistance groups launched the Myingyan District Special Operation, the first of its kind in the plains region, late last year. Its goal is to liberate all four townships in the district—Myingyan, Taung Tha, Natogyi, and Nganzun—from junta troops and allied militias.
On January 31, Myanmar junta airstrikes bombed a displacement camp and clinic in Kale Township, Sagaing Region, reportedly killing eight civilians, including four children, and wounding at least 15 others.10 Nearly 400 Kyaukse and Inkyun villagers displaced by fighting in 2021 were sheltering at the camp in Kokko village school in southern Kale.11 A rescue worker said, “The regime deliberately targeted the school. Some of the injuries required amputations.”12 The regime has cut off phone and internet access to villages in Kale Township, making it difficult to obtain information and maintain communications.
Four people have died amid an acute shortage of food and medicines due to a month-long junta blockade of the Sagaing Region town of Wetlet, which is surrounded by resistance strongholds.14 Around 150 junta personnel—including 50 soldiers, local police, junta-aligned militias and civil servants given military training—are deployed to cut the town off from surrounding villages that are controlled by anti-regime forces, according to Wetlet Township PDF.15 Fuel prices have soared to 18,000 kyats per liter, compared to a market price of just over 3,000 kyats in Yangon.16 Rice costs around 15,000 kyats per pyi (2.4 kg) and cooking oil around 40,000 kyats per viss (around 1.7 L).17 Patients with chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes are suffering from shortages of medicines and are unable to leave the town for treatment, resulting in at least four deaths from cancer and heart disease, according to local sources.
On February 10, the junta killed at least five civilians and injured 19 others after launching an airstrike in Mandalay’s Mogoke Township, which is currently under the TNLA’s control.19 The junta reportedly dropped 20 bombs in the western part of the township.
From February 10 to 19, junta airstrikes, including fighter jets, Y12 airplanes, helicopters and motorized paragliders carrying out attacks on various targets, including schools, hospitals, displacement camps and religious sites, killed at least 53 civilians.21 Junta air and artillery strikes killed at least 17 civilians, including children and internally displaced people, in Monywa, Chaung-U and Salingyi townships in Sagaing Region on February 12 and 13, according to antiregime groups and locals.
On February 25, the junta carried out an airstrike on a wedding reception in Sone Kone village in Myaing Township, killing at least 14 civilians and injuring dozens more.23 The junta aircraft dropped two 500-lb bombs on the reception area.