NUG reports 139 civilians killed in 530 August attacks amid restructuring of Human Rights Ministry

Residents in Myaung Township's Swel Le Oh village, Sagaing Region, clear debris at a monstery after 15 civilians were killed by airstrikes on Aug. 21. (Credit: Residents)

At least 139 civilians, including 18 children, were killed in 530 aerial attacks carried out by the Myanmar military across 13 states and regions during August, the National Unity Government (NUG) reported on Thursday.

The NUG report added that 68 civilians, including seven children, were killed across eight distinct mass killings executed by regime forces in Chin, Karenni, and Arakan states, as well as Sagaing Region.

August atrocities and destruction metrics

During August alone, opposition researchers documented 528 human rights violations committed nationwide by regime forces, highlighting systematic targeting of non-combatant infrastructure:

August 2026 Atrocities Summary

├── Aerial Attacks Recorded: 530 strikes across 13 states and regions

├── Civilian Air Strike Toll: 139 killed (including 18 children)

├── Mass Killing Toll: 68 killed (including 7 children) in 8 separate massacres

└── Infrastructure Destroyed:

├── Residential Homes: 126

├── Religious Buildings: 17

├── Educational Facilities: 10

└── Medical Facilities: 4

Beyond property destruction, documented violations include extrajudicial executions, forced labor, and arbitrary detentions carried out as part of ongoing military counteroffensives.

Appeal to UN leadership and historical post-coup metrics

Addressing the United Nations, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun submitted an Aug. 21 letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres detailing the military’s escalating violence against civilians.