More than 60 women were killed across Myanmar in February as the ruling military junta increased its reliance on airstrikes and heavy artillery to target civilian areas, according to the latest report by the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU).
In a statement released on 10 March, the BWU documented the deaths of 63 women and injuries to another 66 throughout February. The data highlights a grim trend of civilian targeting, with aerial bombardments accounting for the vast majority of the fatalities.
A Deadly Toll According to the BWU’s findings, the causes of death for the 63 women are as follows:
- Airstrikes: 46 deaths
- Heavy Artillery: 8 deaths
- Summary Executions: 7 deaths
- Gunshot Wounds: 2 deaths
The single deadliest incident occurred on 24 February in Yo Ngone village, Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, where a military airstrike claimed the lives of 13 women. The monthly toll also includes 18 girls under the age of 18 and one pregnant woman.
Targeting Resistance Strongholds Military analysts and activists suggest that the junta is deliberately targeting civilians in territories controlled by revolutionary forces. A former military officer who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA) that the military views civilian infrastructure as “easy targets.” He urged residents in these areas to move beyond basic air-raid drills and conduct rigorous, weekly training to survive the escalating aerial threat.
Of the 66 women injured in February, 41 were victims of airstrikes, while others suffered from artillery fire, landmines, and conflict-related sexual violence.
Regional Impact and Supply Disruptions Rakhine State recorded the highest number of female fatalities with 22 deaths, followed by Sagaing Region with 12 and Magway Region with 11.
There are questions regarding whether the pace of these attacks can be sustained into March. Some observers are monitoring if regional fuel shortages or disruptions in aviation fuel supplies—potentially linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—will force a reduction in the junta’s air operations.
The February figures represent an increase from January, during which 55 women were killed and 54 were injured due to similar military actions. Since the 2021 coup, the use of airpower has become the primary tool for the Myanmar military to suppress dissent, leading to a humanitarian crisis that continues to disproportionately impact women and children.
