Civilian Casualties Surge as Junta Strafes, Bombs and Rockets Ahead of Myanmar Poll

Dozens of civilians were killed across Sagaing Region this week as the junta intensified airstrikes on residential targets in resistance-held territory in a bid to claw territory ahead of its December 28 election.

The attacks came hours after junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Monday praised the air force at its 78^th anniversary event in Naypyitaw, hailing its “dedication and sacrifice” in defending the country against both external invasion and internal insurgency and narcotics.

On Thursday, the same air force deployed four fighter jets and three gyrocopters to bomb civilian targets across Sagaing’s Khin-U Township. They included a roadside fuel depot and nearby junction, where more than a dozen civilians were reportedly killed.