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War Crimes from the Sky: HDCO Documents Widespread Civilian Casualties and Destruction from Junta Airstrikes in Arakan
- globalarakannetwork
- Oct 26
- 2 min read
Report Analysis
Global Arakan Network October 26, 2025
A recent investigative report sheds light on the devastating impact of Myanmar’s military aerial campaigns in the Arakan (Rakhine) region, revealing a pattern of targeted airstrikes causing significant civilian casualties and extensive destruction. The report, titled "War Crimes from the Sky: Civilian Deaths and Destruction by the Junta," compiles data collected between November 2023 and September 2025, highlighting how aerial bombings have become a deadly tool of the regime's crackdown. It was released by the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO), a branch of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) on October 25, 2025.
According to the findings, airstrikes accounted for nearly half of all civilian deaths—specifically 46%—and nearly half of all injuries, with civilian casualties peaking in late 2024 and early 2025. Notably, women represented 31% of all victims, with nearly half of airstrike casualties being women, and children under 18 accounted for 18% of casualties.
The report documents 26 mass killing incidents across 13 townships, with mass casualties concentrated in villages like Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw. These attacks often targeted populated areas, including schools, religious sites, and residential neighborhoods, causing the demolition of over 11,000 structures—including homes, schools, clinics, and bridges—deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Officials estimate that more than 271 civilians were killed in these 26 incidents alone, with deliberate targeting evident from the geographical spread of attacks across rural and urban areas. Moreover, over half of these incidents happened during nighttime hours, indicating a strategic choice to strike when civilians are most vulnerable.
The report also underscores a troubling pattern of ethnic targeting, with about 84% of those killed and injured being ethnic Rakhine—a sign that the regime's air campaigns are focused on punishing specific communities rather than collateral damage.
The report said that it is part of a growing international demand for accountability and investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Myanmar’s military junta. Human rights advocates are calling on the global community to take decisive action to halt these brutal aerial assaults and provide justice for innocent civilians affected by this ongoing crisis.
As the conflict continues, the voices of survivors and witnesses underscore the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further suffering in Myanmar’s war-torn Arakan region.
Full report can be downloaded here.
