At least 30 civilians have been killed following a brutal military operation involving mass arrests, summary executions, and airstrikes in Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region, according to statements from the Karen National Union (KNU) and the National Unity Government (NUG).
The crisis began on the morning of 5 March when approximately 100 troops from the 77th Light Infantry Division launched a four-pronged raid on the villages of Yay Twin Kone, Kharu Kone, and Kyaung Kone. According to the NUG’s Ministry of Defence, over 300 residents were initially detained during the assault.
The KNU reported that on 7 March, following clashes between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the junta deployed jet fighters and drones to bombard the Yay Twin Kone village tract. Tragically, the airstrikes reportedly killed 25 of the civilians who were being held captive by the military. An additional five detainees were confirmed to have been summarily executed by the troops.
“From what we understand, the death toll could be even higher than 30,” a resident from Nyaunglebin told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA). “The military is still in the area, so we cannot confirm the exact numbers yet. These are just people living in their own villages. Targeting them simply because they live in revolutionary territory is an extreme violation”.
The NUG has issued a separate, higher estimate, claiming that over 40 people may have been killed, including three children, a pregnant woman, and several elderly residents.
The KNU stated that it is continuing to verify the full list of casualties and will provide further updates as the situation on the ground stabilizes. The military has not yet released a statement regarding the allegations of civilian killings in the region.
Bago Region has seen a significant escalation in violence as the Myanmar military faces increasing pressure from ethnic armed organizations and local resistance forces across multiple fronts.
