Arabic version: تقرير الأمم المتحدة يوضح أكثر من 700 وفاة مدنية في صراع ميانمار
According to BBC News,
Myanmar’s military was responsible for more than 700 civilian deaths over the six-month election period last year, according to a recent report by the UN. This period, spanning from August to January, highlights a significant toll on civilians, with at least 702 confirmed fatalities, including 224 women and 153 children. The elections, deemed a sham due to the exclusion of major opposition parties, took place under the shadow of ongoing civil unrest following the military coup in 2021.
The UN’s Human Rights Office warns that the decline in international assistance is exacerbating the suffering of millions within the country. The report indicates that air strikes have been the primary cause of destruction and suffering, particularly in the Sagaing region, identified as the most perilous area for civilians, where 191 deaths occurred, including 60 women and 30 children.
Specific incidents detailed in the report include an attack in October that resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals, including four children, during a candlelit event in Chaung-U, Sagaing. Additionally, a military aeroplane bombed a tea shop in Tabayin, killing at least 19 people who were watching a football match.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed concern over the plight of the Myanmar people, stating that they seem to have been forgotten by the international community. He highlighted the critical need for localized protection efforts, which have been undermined by reduced funding and support.
Since the coup, Myanmar has been in a state of civil war, with large areas controlled by armed opposition groups. Despite initial gains by rebels, recent military strategies, including forced conscription and increased drone use, have shifted the balance in favor of the military. In April, Min Aung Hlaing, the general who launched the coup, became president, following an election characterized by widespread bans on popular parties and significant military influence in parliament.
