Eight civilians killed by aerial attacks in Sagaing and Kachin; New app to alert Myanmar users about airstrikes

Seven civilians killed by gyrocopter in Sagaing Region

At least seven civilians living in Paenwegone village, located in Homalin Township 331 miles (533 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa, were killed during a gyrocopter attack carried out from the Homalin Air Force Base Headquarters on Saturday, residents told DVB. An unknown number of injured were transported by rescue workers to a hospital, where several remain in critical condition as of Feb. 23.

Paenwegone residents added that two gyrocopters, which are ultralight one or two-person aircraft with helicopter-like rotating blades, attacked. “The military has repeatedly used paramotors and gyrocopters to bomb peaceful gatherings and protected civilian sites—schools, hospitals, monasteries, and houses—across Myanmar’s central lowlands,” according to a Fortify Rights report on Jan. 26.

Paenwegone village was seized by the People’s Defence Force (PDF) under the National Unity Government (NUG) in November 2024. Homalin is contested between regime and resistance forces. Regime leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited Homalin and blamed residents for the conflict in the township during a meeting between locals and regime officials at the Homalin Town Hall on Feb. 15.

Another civilian killed by airstrikes in Kachin State

A source close to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that one civilian was killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in Bwankahtaung village of Momauk Township, Kachin State, on Sunday. Momauk is located 50-112 miles (80-180 km) south of the KIA headquarters of Laiza and the Kachin State capital Myitkyina.

A Momauk resident told DVB that Air Force jets have flown over the town every day since a Myanmar National Airlines passenger aircraft was damaged by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or drone, attack at the Myitkyina Airport on Feb. 20. At least 10 airstrikes were carried out against four KIA brigades across Kachin State, including in Momauk, over the weekend, according to the KIA source.