Myanmar junta air strikes hit hard in areas cut off from the internet, report says

Mizzima

Myanmar junta air strikes between January and March killed at least 728 civilians, with most attacks taking place in areas where internet access had been cut, according to a report released by the Myanmar Internet Project on 19 April.

The report documented 423 air strike incidents nationwide during the first three months of 2026. Of those, 406 strikes – about 96 percent – occurred in areas experiencing internet shutdowns, suggesting a strong overlap between military attacks and communication blackouts.

At least 681 of the recorded civilian deaths were in areas under internet restrictions, the report said. Victims included at least 107 women, 50 children, and 30 elderly people.

Sagaing Region was the hardest hit area, recording 196 strikes, followed by Magway Region with 58, and Rakhine State with 44. Together, these three areas accounted for about 70 percent of all reported air attacks during the period.

According to the report, air strikes affected 99 townships across 12 states and regions, with only Yangon and Ayeyarwady Regions spared.

The report said communication shutdowns in conflict areas appeared aimed at restricting information flows while simultaneously increasing the risks faced by civilians during aerial bombardments.

Also documented was the significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Among the sites hit were 22 religious buildings, mostly monasteries, 13 hospitals and clinics, and 17 schools. Most of these were also located in areas where communications had been disrupted.

Myanmar’s military has increasingly relied on air power in its campaign against resistance forces and ethnic armed groups since the 2021 coup, particularly in areas where it has lost ground on the battlefield.

Rights groups and independent monitors have repeatedly accused the junta of carrying out indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilian areas.

The Myanmar Internet Project said the true toll from the airstrikes could be higher, noting that communication constraints in conflict zones make verification difficult. This has likely led to underreporting of deaths and damage.