Irrawaddy Documents 100+ Civilians Killed by SAC Airstrikes Since Junta 'Civilian Rule' Began March 16 — Aerial Violence Escalates

The Irrawaddy — Myanmar's leading independent exile media outlet — published reporting documenting that the Myanmar military junta has killed more than 100 civilians through airstrikes since the SAC-backed parliament convened on March 16, 2026, marking the formal start of Min Aung Hlaing's cosmetic 'civilian rule' transition. The figure covers just the first five weeks of the political transition and represents an accelerating pace of aerial killing: the SAC conducted 2,602 air attacks across all of 2025 (the highest annual rate since the coup), and the post-March 16 killing pace suggests 2026 is on track to surpass that record. Documented strikes in this period include attacks on a monastery on Thingyan eve (2 monks killed, April 13), an IDP displacement camp (monk teaching displaced children killed, April 7), a school in Wetlet Township (11 injured, April 23), a coastal tourist resort in Ngapali (April 23), the KNU hospital in Bue So (6 AA members killed, 1 bomb crossing into Thailand, April 20), fishing civilians near Letpadan (4 killed, ages 15-20, April 22), and ~50 bombs dropped on Paletwa Township (April 22) alongside sustained aerial campaigns across Sagaing, Magway, Chin, Karen, and Rakhine states. MoeMaKa's concurrent analysis documented that the SAC has now conducted more than 9,400 total airstrike incidents since the February 2021 coup — with approximately 3,300 occurring in 2025-2026 alone, representing the highest 14-month aerial campaign rate of the entire conflict. The data was compiled from the MoeMaKa CDM network of civilian monitors embedded in conflict-affected communities. The Irrawaddy report underscores that the 'civilian rule' transition has been accompanied by an intensification, not reduction, of aerial violence — a pattern consistent with analysts' warnings that Min Aung Hlaing's political transition is a legitimization strategy, not a genuine peace process. The escalation has drawn sharp international condemnation: Canada reaffirmed recognition of U Win Myint as Myanmar's legitimate president on April 23, the IPU recognized the CRPH on April 19, and the UN human rights office continues to call for an ICC referral for crimes against humanity.