Myanmar: Airstrikes Drive Civilian Harm in 2024, UN Reports

Sagaing region worst-hit, with 191 fatalities including 60 women and 30 children.

The UN Human Rights Office released a report on February 12, 2025, detailing military actions in Myanmar during 2024. Airstrikes are identified as the primary cause of civilian harm. The Sagaing region experienced the highest number of civilian deaths, with 191 fatalities, including 60 women and 30 children.

Key Incidents

Chaung-U School Gathering (October 23, 2024)

• Munitions struck civilians gathered in front of a school in Chaung-U, Sagaing.
• The gathering was a candlelit event marking the end of Buddhist Lent, calling for release of political prisoners, opposing military conscription, and rejecting military elections.
• 23 people killed, including 4 children.
• Over 60 wounded.

Tabayin Tea Shop Bombing (December 2024)

• A military aircraft bombed a tea shop in Tabayin, Sagaing.
• People had gathered to watch a football match.
• At least 19 killed, 20 others wounded.

Rohingya Abuses

The report also cites abuses against Rohingya people, including:

• Forced recruitment by the Arakan Army
• Killings and arbitrary arrests
• Sexual violence

Statement from UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk

"As if the people of Myanmar have not suffered enough at the hands of the military, they have now seemingly been forgotten by those outside the country."

"Funding for localised protection efforts was in many areas the only solace from the suffering caused by constant targeting and indiscriminate attacks by the military."

"This pullback just compounds that injury."