Escalation of Aerial Attacks

In May 2025, the Myanmar military junta intensified its aerial assault campaigns across the Sagaing Region. While ground offensives and raids on villages slightly declined due to territorial control limitations, the frequency of airstrikes significantly increased. Over the course of the month, at least 25 aerial attacks were recorded in townships such as Wetlet, Chaung-U, Monywa, Kani, Kalay, Tamu, Depayin, Mawlu, and Shwebo.

Ground offensives, shootouts, and executions by junta troops were also reported in Chaung-U, Sagaing, Budalin, and Pale townships. One notable case involved the assassination of a People’s Administration representative under the National Unity Government (NUG), though responsibility for the act could not be definitively attributed.

The following section outlines some of the most prominent war crimes recorded during the month:

 

1. Bombing of Oo Htein Tine Village School, Depayin Township

On May 12, 2025, the military regime conducted an aerial bombardment using fighter jets and dropped a 500-pound bomb on Oo Htein Tine Village school in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region. The attack occurred at approximately 9:30 AM and resulted in catastrophic destruction.

Ground rescue teams reported over 20 deaths and more than 30 injured. The school was directly hit, leading to the deaths of two teachers and 20 students, ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 11.

List of the deceased students and teachers (Oo Htein Tine Village):

1. Ma Thet Thar Wai (Grade 11)
2. Maung Soe Moe Thwin (Grade 3)
3. Maung Chan Myay Aung (Grade 4)
4. Ma Shun Hlae Wai (Grade 2)
5. Ma Phyo Wai Phyo (Grade 3)
6. Ma Htun Set Phyu (Grade 2)
7. Ma Htet Yati Htun (Grade 4)
8. Maung Myat Noe Maung Maung (Grade 9)
9. Ma Mhone Mi Mi Aung (Grade 4)
10. Ma Moe Hae Kyaw (Grade 4)
11. Ma Moe Moe Win (Grade 10)
12. Ma Hla Aung May (Grade 7)
13. Ma Moe Myint Han (Grade 7)
14. Ma Aye Nyein San (Grade 3)
15. Maung Zeya Phyo (Grade 5)
16. Ma Cherry Moe (Grade 2)
17. Maung Lunn Paing Htet (Grade 2)
18. Ma Myat Noe Oo (Grade 7)
19. Ma Nyein Shwe Yati Moe (Grade 2)
20. Ma Su Lat Naing (Grade 2)
21. Daw Pan Momo Wai – Teacher
22. Daw Zin Mar Thu – Teacher

This incident, which specifically targeted minors and non-military infrastructure such as schools, constitutes a grave war crime and must be officially documented as such.

 

2. Airstrike in Mingin Township Killing 11, Including 6 Children

On May 23, 2025, around 2:00 PM, a junta airstrike targeted Min Su Village school, situated along the Kale–Yar Gyi Road in Mingin Township. Despite ongoing fighting between junta forces and resistance fighters about 10 miles away in Ma U Village, Min Su Village itself was not involved in any combat at the time.

The attack led to the deaths of 19 civilians, including 6 children under the age of 10.

List of deceased civilians (Min Su Village):

1. Ma Nhint Yati Win (Age 5)
2. Maung Thoon Khan Phyo (Age 6)
3. Maung Htet Nge Kyaw (Age 7)
4. Maung Phyo Min Khan (Age 7)
5. Ma Saung Thazin Nwe (Age 8)
6. Maung Kyaw Phyo Aung (Age 8)
7. Ma Phyo Aye Zin (Age 9)
8. Maung Shine Thant (Age 11)
9. Ma Chit San Nwe (Age 23)
10. Ma Nhint Ei San (Age 27)
11. Ma Yin Hla (Age 35)
12. Thein Lwin Oo (Age 36)
13. Phyu Sein (Age 38)
14. Bo Oo (Age 39)
15. Nyan Nu Aung (Age 40)
16. Zaw Min Oo (Age 42)
17. Zaw Lin (Age 46)
18. Maung Soe (Age 48)
19. Daw Sein Kyi (Age 74)

All were unarmed civilians, making this deliberate attack on a populated, non-combatant area a severe and unmistakable war crime.

 

3. Killing of People’s Administration Officer in Wetlet Township

On May 23, near Tamakone Village, Wetlet Township, the body of U Myo Aung, a representative of the NUG People’s Administration Team, was discovered alongside a local female betel vendor. Both victims were found with fatal gunshot wounds in a farm hut, believed to be a secondary dump site.

This region is known for activity by both junta troops and resistance groups, and no group has claimed responsibility for the killing. This brings the total number of NUG-affiliated administration personnel killed in Sagaing Region to six, with no known perpetrators apprehended in any of these cases.

 

Civilian Casualties Summary – May 2025

No.	Township	Injured	Deceased	Arrested	Junta Involvement
1	Kalay	2	1	0	Confirmed
2	Ye-U	2	1	0	Confirmed
3	Kani	0	0	0	Confirmed
4	Sagaing	0	3	6	Confirmed
5	Monywa	16	10	10	Confirmed
6	Wetlet	4	4	0	Partially Unknown
7	Pale	0	7	0	Unconfirmed
8	Chaung-U	0	11	14	Confirmed
9	Depayin	15	22	0	Confirmed
10	Inndaw	5	5	0	Unknown
11	Mingin	11	19	0	Unknown

 

Final Analysis

In May 2025, over 59 separate war crimes were documented across various townships in the Sagaing Region. Civilian casualties exceeded 83 deaths, with at least 55 injured and several more arbitrarily detained.

Although the number of direct ground clearance operations by junta forces slightly declined, mass civilian casualties from airstrikes increased dramatically. This shift indicates a deliberate strategic pivot toward airpower to instill fear and punishment in resistance-controlled regions.

Furthermore, the targeting of schools, hospitals, and civilian structures—including the deaths of dozens of children—constitutes serious violations of international humanitarian law and must be treated as war crimes.