Abuse of power & retaliationPhysical & psychological abusePublic safety & negligence

UN investigators say Myanmar's military escalated airstrikes on civilians around its 2025-26 election

Confidence: Confirmed · 5 sourcesMyanmar · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)

Also named

Oversight

Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM)

What happened

The UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar said in its annual report, published in August 2026 and covering July 2025 to June 2026, that the military carried out attacks on civilians, hitting homes, schools, hospitals, religious buildings and displacement camps, with increasing use of drones, paramotors and other powered gliders that give civilians little warning. The report also documented torture, sexual violence and arbitrary detention in military-run facilities. It said attacks intensified before the elections, which concluded in January 2026. The Mechanism draws on more than 1,600 sources and shares evidence with bodies including the ICC, the ICJ and Argentine courts; it does not itself prosecute.

Sources (5)

apnews.comThe IIMM said it observed a notable escalation in aerial attacks in the months preceding the elections

ReutersThere was a notable escalation in aerial attacks in the months preceding the elections, it said.

Myanmar crisis: Human Rights Council probeMyanmar's military has carried out a sustained campaign of deliberate attacks on civilians

news.un.orgMyanmar Mechanism investigations reveal deliberate attacks on civilians by the military; evidence from over 1,600 sources shared with the ICC, ICJ and Argentine courts.

The Defense PostUN investigators say the military targeted homes, schools, hospitals, religious buildings and displacement camps with drones, paramotors and gyrocopters.

Response

Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)

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