On July 7th, 2025, the illegal military junta brutally launched an airstrike on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Pekhon Township, resulting in the deaths of three family members, including a 4-year-old child. Five innocent civilians, including a pregnant woman, were injured. The unlawful military junta’s brutal attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate a clear and shameless violation of international law and constitute acts of war crimes.
Since the 2021 military coup, the unlawful military council has expanded its targeted attacks on civilians in Karenni State, committing widespread human rights violations. In 2025, these attacks have intensified further, with increased use of airstrikes and heavy artillery against the civilian population.
Airstrikes carried out by the illegal military junta resulted in 33 deaths and 94 injuries in 2025. Among the dead are 15 men, 9 women, 2 children, and 7 unidentified individuals.
Due to heavy artillery, drone bombings, targeted shootings of innocent civilians, and landmine explosions, a total of 29 civilians have lost their lives, and 208 others have been injured from the beginning of 2025 to the present. Among the dead are 18 men, 3 women, and 6 children, with 2 individuals whose identities remain unconfirmed.
The illegitimate military junta has been committing war crimes by targeting civilians in Karenni State, burning and destroying their homes, and has intentionally blocked transportation routes to cut off the flow of essential goods and restrict access to basic necessities of the people. Also, the repeated raids and inspections in civilian areas demonstrate an attempt to carry out targeted ethnic cleansing against the Karenni people.
Therefore, we urgently call on the international community to take actions such as cutting off the military junta’s access to aviation fuel to stop airstrikes targeted at IDP camps, schools, and religious buildings, and to define safe zones for civilians. We also strongly call for immediate and decisive action against the illegitimate military junta that is brutally committing war crimes.
Public Relations and Information Committee