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Myanmar military expands drone and low-cost air attacks on civilians

A UN investigative mechanism said the use of low-altitude drones and motorised paragliders intensified ahead of December and January elections, with investigators also pointing to “double-tap” strikes.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Asia

Myanmar’s military has stepped up aerial attacks on civilians using drones, motorised paragliders and other low-cost aircraft, according to a report from UN-established investigators.

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar said attacks rose from July last year, with a notable escalation ahead of elections held in December and January. The vote elevated junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to the presidency in April after the 2021 coup.

Investigators said the military increasingly relied on motorised paragliders, gyrocopters and drones for low-altitude strikes using unguided explosives, including mortar shells. In Sagaing region incidents described in the report, paraglider pilots cut their engines near targets, gliding in silently and giving civilians less warning.

The mechanism also said casualties were worsened by “double-tap” aerial attacks, where forces strike and then attack again shortly afterwards, apparently targeting first responders and people trying to flee. It further said evidence it collected showed frequency and intensity of war crimes and crimes against humanity continued to escalate over the past year, alongside accounts of arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence tied to military-run facilities.

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