One dead, monks wounded as Myanmar junta launches relentless aerial campaign across Gangaw District

Mizzima

The military junta conducted a series of coordinated airstrikes across Htilin, Kyaukhtu, and Gangaw townships in Magway Region throughout 7 January 2026, resulting in civilian fatalities and injuries to religious figures.

According to the Yaw Ah Lin Tan group, the air campaign began in Htilin Township between 10:00 am and 10:50 am, where aircraft dropped more than 80 bombs on villages sheltering displaced residents, including Tharakhar, South and West Aung Myint, Htalin, Htanpinkone, Taw Yaung, and Ponna.

The strikes killed a local man from the western part of the township, while a woman and a three-year-old child from Htilin sustained non-life-threatening injuries. During the operation, a Mi-17 transport helicopter landed at a football field east of Shwe Hti Hall in Htilin for approximately 30 minutes before departing.

The assault continued in the afternoon when a Y-12 transport plane, supported by a jet fighter, dropped over 80 additional bombs on Kyaukhtu Township around 12:40 pm. Verification of the total damage and casualties from this specific strike is currently underway.

By early evening, the focus shifted to Gangaw Township, where a Yak-130 fighter jet from the Tada-U Airbase fired rockets at a monastery in Myin Zar village at 6:36 pm. The attack wounded two monks and a novice and caused significant structural damage to the religious buildings.

These daily airstrikes coincide with Gangaw Township’s inclusion in the second phase of the junta’s general election, scheduled for 11 January. Local organizations have noted that the frequency of aerial attacks has increased since the start of the month, leading to a mounting civilian death toll and widespread displacement.

Residents are being urged by local defence groups to remain under constant vigilance and utilize pre-dug bunkers as the military continues to target non-military sites ahead of the upcoming polls.