Myanmar steps up civilian attacks with drones and paragliders, UN says

United Nations investigators report that Myanmar's military is increasingly using drones and motorized paragliders to attack civilians. These low-cost aircraft are employed for low-altitude strikes with unguided explosives, including mortar shells. Attacks escalated notably in the period leading up to elections held in December and January, following the military's 2021 coup. In some incidents, paraglider pilots cut their engines to glide silently towards targets, reducing warning time for civilians. This escalation occurs as the country's rulers attempt to project stability and gain legitimacy following the military-run election.

A United Nations investigation has found that Myanmar's military has escalated airstrikes against civilians, increasingly using low-cost aircraft like motorized paragliders and gyrocopters. These attacks, which have intensified around recent elections, include "double-tap" strikes potentially targeting first responders. Separately, the Arakan Army reported that the military killed 20 civilians in Rakhine state this month. The UN's Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) documented these and other alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military and affiliated militias, as well as by opposition armed groups. The IIMM gathered evidence for potential future prosecutions. Since 2021, over 8,000 civilians have been killed and more than 31,000 arrested by Myanmar's security forces.