A recent report from the United Nations human rights office has revealed that Myanmar’s military killed more than 700 civilians during the election period from August 2025 to January 2026. Among the deceased were 224 women and 153 children, highlighting the severe toll of ongoing violence in the region.
The report, which draws on verified data from reliable sources, details the military’s actions during a time when they announced elections that critics labeled as a sham, excluding major opposition parties from participation. The findings underscore the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by a reduction in international aid.
Airstrikes have been identified as a significant cause of destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Sagaing region, where the military has been attempting to seize new territories. This area alone accounted for 191 civilian deaths, including 60 women and 30 children.
One particularly devastating incident occurred in October in Chaung-U, where an attack resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals, including four children, as munitions struck civilians gathered near a school for a candlelight event celebrating the end of a Buddhist fasting period. Participants were also advocating for the release of political prisoners and protesting against military conscription and the elections.
In December, a military aircraft dropped a bomb on a tea shop in Tabayin, where locals were watching a football match, killing at least 19 people and injuring 20 others.
The report further addresses violence against the Rohingya population, noting forced recruitment by the Arakan Army, a rebel group, alongside reports of killings, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence against them.
“The people of Myanmar have already suffered enough at the hands of the military, and now they seem to be forgotten by those outside the country,” stated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
Turk emphasized the critical need for funding local protection programs in various regions, which he described as a lifeline for many. He warned that the withdrawal of assistance would only deepen the suffering.
Five years ago, the military seized power from the democratically elected government, imprisoning its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In April 2026, General Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, assumed the presidency.
A UN report reveals that Myanmar's military killed over 700 civilians during the 2025 election period, with significant casualties among women and children. The findings highlight ongoing violence and the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by reduced international aid.
Source: BBC