United Nations investigators reported on Tuesday that Myanmar’s military increased aerial attacks on civilians during the months preceding a military-managed election held between December 2025 and January 2026. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) stated in a new report that all sides in the country’s ongoing civil war have committed serious abuses over the past year, including torture and sexual violence. The report noted that the frequency and intensity of these incidents have escalated.
The IIMM was established in 2018 to document abuses in Myanmar dating back to 2011. This mandate includes investigating the 2017 military crackdown that forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, a mainly Muslim minority, to flee, as well as violence following the 2021 military coup against the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military-backed party won the recent election, resulting in junta leader Min Aung Hlaing becoming president.
The investigators documented a pattern of deliberate strikes on homes, schools, medical facilities, and displacement camps. According to the report, the military increasingly utilized low-cost equipment such as paramotors, gyrocopters, and drones to drop unguided explosives. In the Sagaing Region, the IIMM is investigating reports that pilots glided silently toward targets with their engines cut to reduce warning time for civilians. Additionally, the report cited evidence of arbitrary detention and sexualized torture in military-run facilities, while also examining allegations of sexual violence by anti-junta armed groups.
The findings highlight a specific change in military tactics, moving toward low-altitude strikes using paramotors and drones. This shift means civilians have less time to seek cover compared to traditional aircraft attacks. The IIMM head, Nicholas Koumjian, stated that these communities are coping with "profound and lasting impact" from the violence. Beyond the immediate physical danger, the report documents a surge in conflict-related sexual violence, which investigators attribute to multiple parties involved in the fighting, indicating a broad breakdown of legal protections and human rights for the general population.
The document serves as a formal record for potential future legal proceedings regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity. While the military government did not immediately respond to requests for comment and anti-junta groups have not yet commented, the report provides a baseline for international oversight as President Min Aung Hlaing seeks international legitimacy, evidenced by his visit to Thailand this month. The IIMM will continue its investigations into specific incidents, including the gliding attacks in Sagaing, as the conflict continues. No specific dates for future legal action or court proceedings were provided in the report.