The Myanmar military has carried out more aerial attacks in 40 townships between March and May since imposing martial law in these areas in February 2023, according to a report of the Institute for Strategy and Policy (Myanmar) on 13 August.

The data was collected by ISP Myanmar from these 40 townships from February 2021 to June 2023.

The Military Council expanded martial law to 40 townships in Sagaing, Karenni, Chin, Bago, Magway, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi in February 2023.

Airstrikes have seen an uptick, whereas ground attacks have seen some fluctuation.

The report said that armed clashes and arson attacks on buildings and houses decreased between March and May in these townships after the imposition of martial law, but then the attacks increased in June.

Ko Banyar, the founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG), told Mizzima that many areas in Karenni State under martial law are suffering from armed clashes.

“Prusho Township experienced more airstrikes than other IDP villages. Two or three villages were bombed about four times, causing some causalities. Some villages were under aerial attack although no conflicts occurred there (on the ground). About four civilians died from air raids in some villages of Pasawng township,” he said.

The military conducted airstrikes every day in Karenni State from 10 to 14 August, destroying a Catholic church and some houses in Hteethawkue Village in Prusho Township.

The military increased its airstrikes in August, killing civilians including children in Chin State and Sagaing region, according to the report.

ISP Myanmar concluded that the military is expected to increase its attacks after it extended its state of emergency on 1 August for another six months.

Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica’s report in May this year said that the military conducted airstrikes on average once every three days over the 28 months since the 2021 military coup.