At least 24 people were killed and more than 45 injured on Monday when bombs were dropped on civilians attending a religious festival in Chaung-U township in the Sagaing region, according to media reports.
Witnesses said a “motorized paraglider” was used to drop two explosives on crowds gathered to mark a national holiday.
“This tragic incident, if confirmed, would add to a worrying series of indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians across the country,» UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Wednesday.
“The indiscriminate use of airborne munitions is unacceptable. All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
Sharp increase in airstrikes
Sagaing was one of the regions hardest hit by the conflict that erupted after the February 2021 military coup, which saw the ouster of the elected government and the arrest of key leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The region also suffered heavy damage during an earthquake earlier this year, exacerbating humanitarian needs.
According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), Sagaing recorded the highest number of airstrikes and civilian deaths in the entire country. Between March 28 and May 31, 2025 alone, more than 108 airstrikes were reported there, killing at least 89 people.
The OHCHR said Myanmar’s military is increasingly relying on air power, including new paramotor tactics capable of carrying 120mm mortar rounds, to strike “civilian-inhabited and quake-affected areas”, despite announcing temporary ceasefires in April and May to allow post-quake relief operations.
Deliberate targeting of civilians
The report, released in September, documented at least 6,764 civilian deaths and more than 29,000 political arrests since the coup. Nearly half of all verified civilian deaths between April 2024 and May 2025 were due to air attacks – with Sagaing, Mandalay and Shan among the worst affected.
It also cited the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects, including markets, schools, homes, places of worship and camps for internally displaced persons.
“Atrocities such as extrajudicial killings, mutilations and widespread destruction of property have been documented, as well as the use of airstrikes with no discernible military objective. raising serious concerns about war crimes“, said OHCHR.
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