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UN Says Myanmar Military Killed at Least 702 Civilians During Six-Month Election Period

Linking most deaths to aerial attacks, the United Nations calls for referral to the International Criminal Court.

Overview

  • The UN Human Rights Office published its report on Monday, June 22, 2026, finding a minimum of 702 civilian deaths between August and the end of January that it attributes primarily to Myanmar’s military.
  • The report says at least 505 civilians were killed in aerial attacks carried out with jet fighters, drones, paramotors and gyrocopters, making air strikes the single largest cause of deaths.
  • Verified victims include 224 women and 153 children, reflecting a heavy toll on vulnerable civilians during the six-month period.
  • The rights office documents spikes in deaths in August–September and again in December–January that coincide with the military’s election announcement and battlefield advances.
  • The UN urges ICC referral and tighter controls on arms, jet fuel and dual-use items, warns that foreign supplies continue to feed military operations, and says blockades and aid cuts have reduced emergency healthcare and worsened civilian suffering.