Despite the junta declaring a unilateral ceasefire from 2 to 30 April 2025, it carried out near daily artillery attacks and airstrikes in Mon State’s Thaton District throughout April.
Following the deadly 28 March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, the junta declared a unilateral ceasefire to allow for earthquake relief. Originally the ceasefire was due to run from 2 to 22 April before being extended to 30 April.
Despite the ceasefire the junta continued to arbitrarily fire artillery into Thaton District villages nearly every day in April, causing many residents to flee their homes. In late April the junta then intensified its artillery shelling and airstrikes on villages in the Thaton District townships of Kyaikto, Bilin, and Thaton, according to Karen National Union (KNU) sources.
Talking of the attacks during April, Padoh Saw Aye Naing, the Thaton DIstrict secretary of the KNU said: “The junta declared a ceasefire from 2 to 22 April and later extended it to 30 April. However, throughout the entire period, it continued to launch attacks. It bombed homes and monasteries using aircraft and carried out airstrikes on rubber plantations in Kyaikto Township. Many villages were also subjected to artillery shelling. Even during its self-declared ceasefire, the junta continued hostile actions that inflicted fear and suffering on the local population.”
He also pointed out that the junta has been deliberately targeting civilians in Thaton District, as most of the airstrikes and artillery shells were aimed at residential areas and villages, rather than resistance force positions.
Throughout April, the junta’s Artillery Battalion 301, which is based in Letpan Village, in Bago Region’s Waw Township, frequently carried out unprovoked shelling of villages in Thaton District’s Kyaikto Township. Junta aircraft also bombed areas of Thaton District, causing civilian casualties and damage to homes and property.
During April, about 1,000 people were forced to flee from their villages in Thaton District and seek shelter in Thaton District towns.
A resident of Thaton DIstrict said: “There are about 1,000 displaced people [IDPs] in total. Most of them are taking shelter in monasteries and chapels in the towns, whilst others are staying with relatives. The biggest challenge they’re facing right now is the lack of food. Charities are helping, but it’s not enough. Some IDPs brought food with them. For now, they’re relying on whatever makeshift solutions they can.”
He added that as well as needing food, the IDPs also need medicine and essential goods and in the future they may need emergency assistance.
