The Airstrikes Report for Myanmar, released on 30 January, disclosed that the Military Council launched 2,155 airstrikes across 12 regions and states between June and December 2024, during the second wave of Operation 1027.
The targeted regions and states included Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi and Bago regions and Rakhine, Kachin, Chin, Karen, Karenni, South Shan, and North Shan states, with Mandalay suffering the highest number of airstrikes, exceeding 500 attacks.
A total of 111 townships were affected, with Nawnghkio in North Shan state hit the hardest, experiencing 235 airstrikes. Thabeikkyin in Mandalay saw 199 attacks, Pinlebu in Sagaing faced 172, Ann in Rakhine endured 151, and Mindat in Chin was struck 93 times.
During this period, the Military Council carried out more than 100 airstrikes on civilian targets, including villages, public buildings, refugee camps, schools, hospitals, religious sites, and memorials. The attacks also involved the use of chemical weapons in four instances, along with two cluster bomb attacks and strikes using 1,000-pound and 500-pound bombs.
The report warned that Close-Air-Support (CAS) operations typically take place in the morning and afternoon, whereas targeted bombings of civilian areas occur around midnight and dawn. Civilians are urged to remain especially vigilant during these hours.
In executing the airstrikes, the Military Council deployed fighter jets, helicopters, transport aircraft, and attack drones. The five most frequently used aircraft were Russian and Chinese-made jets. Additionally, in December 2024, the military introduced powered parachutes for reconnaissance missions.
The report also called on ground forces to strengthen air defense strategies by constructing bomb shelters, digging trenches, and conducting preemptive drills. It recommended the formation of regional air defense groups, improvements to early warning systems, and enhanced security for information and communications.
Since the coup, airstrikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties. According to an October 2024 report by the Nyan Lin Thit Analytica Research Group, more than 800 civilians were killed and over 1,570 injured in airstrikes between January and August 2024.
