UN probe finds rise in Myanmar military attacks on civilians

United Nations investigators say Myanmar’s military intensified attacks on civilians in the months before elections held between December 2025 and January 2026, while serious human rights abuses and alleged international crimes continued across the country.

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) said on Tuesday (August 11) that its investigations over the past year showed a continuing increase in both the frequency and severity of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military and armed groups.

“Over the past year, the Mechanism’s investigations have shown that the frequency and severity of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military and various armed groups have continued to increase,” the IIMM said in its report.

Investigators documented attacks on civilians as well as arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence.

The mechanism is also examining allegations of conflict-related sexual violence committed by armed groups opposing the military authorities.

Civilian sites targeted before election

The IIMM said attacks on civilians increased during the past year and became more intense in the months leading up to the military-organised election held between December 2025 and January 2026.

Investigators identified a pattern of air attacks targeting homes, schools, health facilities, religious buildings and camps for internally displaced people.

The mechanism reported a marked increase in air strikes during the months before the election.

Myanmar’s military used low-cost gliders, helicopters and drones to carry out low-altitude bombing attacks, according to the report.

Investigators are also examining incidents in the Sagaing region involving tactics that reportedly reduced the amount of warning available to civilians before attacks.

“Communities across Myanmar are not only living under the constant threat of violence, but are also coping with the mounting and lasting impact of what they have endured,” IIMM head Nicholas Koumjian said.

The election was described by Western governments and human rights groups as neither free nor fair.

A military-backed party won, and Min Aung Hlaing subsequently became president.

Thailand was the fourth country he visited after his formal appointment.

Myanmar’s government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Evidence of detention, torture and sexual violence

The IIMM said investigators had gathered extensive evidence of arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence at facilities administered by the military, as well as deaths in custody.

Investigators are separately examining allegations of conflict-related sexual violence involving armed groups fighting the military authorities.

Opposition groups had not commented on the findings in the report.

Koumjian told reporters that gathering evidence remained difficult, but said he hoped international courts would eventually deliver justice for victims in Myanmar and that “perpetrators will know someone is watching”.

Investigations cover abuses dating back to 2011

The IIMM was established in 2018 to investigate serious violations in Myanmar dating back to 2011.

Its mandate includes crimes committed during the military campaign against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya minority in 2017, when hundreds of thousands were forced to flee the country, as well as abuses committed since the military seized power in a 2021 coup.

The coup overthrew the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered a civil war that has killed as many as 100,000 people and displaced millions, according to the UN.

Tens of thousands of people have also been detained since the takeover.