Myanmar Military Killed Over 700 Civilians in Six Months: UN Report

Myanmar's military forces caused the deaths of at least 702 civilians during a six-month period last year, coinciding with the announcement and conclusion of the country's military-controlled elections. A report released by the UN rights office on Monday detailed credible sources verifying these casualties between August 2023 and January 2024.

The report highlighted that airstrikes were the primary cause of civilian deaths and destruction, with jet fighters, drones, paramotors, and gyrocopters responsible for killing at least 505 civilians, including 175 women and 112 children. This figure represents 57 percent of the total verified civilian deaths during the period. A UN spokeswoman confirmed that these 702 deaths are attributable to the Myanmar military, while acknowledging that other armed groups may also have caused civilian casualties.

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those 702 are attributable to the Myanmar military.

Civil war erupted in Myanmar in 2021 following a military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The military subsequently ruled directly before holding restricted elections this year, which democracy watchdogs criticized as a maneuver to legitimize the junta's ongoing rule. The UN rights office noted that "serious human rights violations and abuses, amid generalised insecurity and instability, characterised the period preceding the military-controlled elections," significantly undermining fundamental rights necessary for credible elections.

The UN rights office observed a spike in civilian deaths during August-September and December, correlating with the election announcement and military advances on the battlefield. The office called upon international nations to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court and to cease all transfers of arms, jet fuel, and dual-use items that could facilitate violations of international law by the junta.

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serious human rights violations and abuses, amid generalised insecurity and instability, characterised the period preceding the military-controlled elections.