Myanmar junta killed over 700 civilians in 6 months: UN report

Myanmar's military was responsible for the deaths of over 700 civilians during a six-month period around last year's election, the United Nations has said in a report released on Monday, June 22.

According to the UN Human Rights Office report, at least 702 civilians were killed between August last year, when the military announced the election, and late January this year, when the voting period ended. The UN verified the incidents through reliable sources.

Among the dead were 224 women and 153 children. Airstrikes were identified as the single biggest cause of destruction and civilian suffering, with at least 505 civilians killed in attacks using fighter jets, drones, paramotors and gyrocopters — 57 per cent of the total fatalities, including 175 women and 112 children.

When asked who was responsible for the civilian deaths, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told AFP, "The responsibility for these 702 deaths lies with Myanmar's military."

The spokesperson stressed that this did not mean civilians were not killed in attacks by other armed groups. The report was based solely on verified information available to the UN and is not a complete accounting of all casualties.

Myanmar's military seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The country has been in a state of civil war since then, with the junta holding elections this year under strict restrictions, which were won by allies of the military.