Nighttime junta airstrikes kill more civilians: MDSI

By Admin 06 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

6 November 2025, Mrauk-U

Myanmar's military regime carried out 124 airstrikes across the country in October, with nighttime attacks killing more civilians than daytime strikes, according to the Myanmar Defense and Security Institute (MDSI).

The MDSI said in a statement on November 6 that 72 percent of the airstrikes occurred during the day and 28 percent at night, but most deaths and injuries resulted from nighttime attacks.

A total of 165 people, including students and children, were killed and 305 others injured in the junta's airstrikes last month, the group said.

The main target areas were Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwady regions, as well as Chin, Arakan, Mon, Kayin, Kayah and northern Shan states.

"In Arakan State, we see more of the military regime attacking with aircraft while people are sleeping. That's why more people are injured and killed. These are truly brutal acts. The military regime attacks without sparing civilian areas, towns, or displacement camps," said a young man in Arakan State.

According to the MDSI, the military regime mainly used jet fighters, along with paramotors, gyrocopters and Y-12 aircraft, targeting residential villages, monasteries and schools.

Schools attacked included those in Bonto Village in ChaungU Township and Thitchokon Village in Ayadaw Township in Sagaing Region; Vanghar Village in Chin State's Haka; Namtu Town in northern Shan State; and Taungup Township in Arakan State. Fifty-three people were killed and 81 injured in those attacks.

The regime also carried out airstrikes on religious buildings in Taungtha and Natogyi townships in Mandalay Region, and in Namtu and Kyaukme townships in northern Shan State.

"People are asleep when they can't hear the planes, and it's difficult to escape in the dark. I see the military regime's airstrikes on residential areas at such times as a cruel and deliberate attempt to instill fear in the public," said another Arakan State resident.

Locals and rights groups have called for effective international action against the military regime, which they say is using air power primarily to attack non-military areas.

The MDSI said the attacks appeared intentional, aimed at making it impossible for civilians to live in the targeted areas, destroying their sense of security and causing widespread casualties.