Around 30 Civilians Killed in Kyaukkyi After Junta Airstrikes and Detentions, KNU Says

News March 10, 2026

Civilians killed and detained by junta forces (Photo: KNU)

About 30 civilians were killed in Kyaukkyi Township, Nyaunglebin District of Bago Region, following military operations carried out by Myanmar’s junta, according to a statement released on March 9 by the Karen National Union (KNU).

The KNU said junta forces arbitrarily detained around 160 civilians from Yay Twin Kone village tract in Kyaukkyi Township on March 5. Two days later, on March 7, fighting broke out between junta troops and KNU forces, during which the military reportedly launched airstrikes using drones and jet fighters in the area.

According to the KNU, 25 of the detained civilians were killed during the air attacks, while five others were allegedly executed by junta troops, bringing the total number of civilian deaths to around 30.

Civilians killed and detained by junta forces (Photo: KNU)

The KNU said the operations were carried out by a joint column consisting of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 20, Infantry Battalion (IB) 264, and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 439.

The group said it is currently investigating the incident and will release additional details as further information becomes available.

In its statement, the KNU also accused the junta of repeatedly conducting airstrikes on civilian-populated areas not directly linked to active fighting, resulting in rising civilian casualties across the country.

The statement further alleged that the military continues to commit widespread human rights violations nationwide, including after holding what the KNU described as a sham election aimed at consolidating its rule.

Source@arakanbaynews