War crimes during the Myanmar civil war (2021–present)

{{see also|List of massacres in Myanmar}}

The military of Myanmar has been long accused of atrocities over the broader course of the ongoing conflict that has run for decades since 1948. Thaslima Begum, wrote for The Guardian that "widespread sexual violence perpetrated by Myanmar's soldiers has been a hallmark of the culture of abuse and impunity in the country's decades-long civil wars with its ethnic minorities." Matt Wells, the director of Amnesty International's Crisis Response program, has said that "the Myanmar military has a blood-stained résumé of indiscriminate attacks with devastating consequences for civilians".

Amnesty International has documented the use of banned cluster munitions by the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State.

In October 2023, the Yangon-based Institute for Strategy and Policy wrote that the Tatmadaw had committed 22 massacres in the country since their 2021 coup d'état, defining a massacre as "the killing of 10 or more civilians at once".{{Cite news |title=Junta committed 22 massacres since coup, research group finds |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/junta-massacres-research-10202023164914.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |language=en}} During the anti-junta forces's Operation 1027 offensive, war crimes and abuses by the Tatmadaw escalated. The military has repeatedly said it does not target civilians and often claims it is resistance forces that commit the violence.

The Tatmadaw has increased the use of its historic four cuts strategy that involves violent collective punishment against civilians.{{cite web | url=https://asiatimes.com/2023/12/return-of-the-four-cuts-in-myanmars-mon-state/ | title=Return of the 'four cuts' in Myanmar's Mon state | first=Nai Aue | last=Mon | first2=Maggi | last2=Quadrini | date=5 December 2023 | website=Asia Times }} A video showed displaced people scrambling for cover under a cloud of tear gas in Myanmar.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231127-myanmar-rebels-claim-new-ground-in-north-as-chinese-troops-hold-border-exercises|title=Myanmar rebels claim new ground in north as Chinese troops hold border exercises|work=France 24|date=2023-11-17}}

The military used civilians as human shields, forcing people to walk ahead of troops to detonate potential landmines in their path, protecting their own troops.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-19 |title='I just want my legs back': Myanmar landmine casualties soar |url=https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-government-china-0451f807790016c8e46114bb01441fe4 |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Associated Press |author1=VICTORIA MILKO |author2=DAVID RISING |language=en }}

In late 2021 and throughout 2022 Catholic Bayingyi villages were targeted by the Tatmadaw in Sagaing region, leading to at least 5 civilian deaths.{{Cite web |last=Avillez |first=Filipe |date=2022-06-15 |title=Ancient Catholic villages in Myanmar targeted by military |url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/15597/ancient-catholic-villages-in-myanmar-targeted-by-military |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617181817/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/15597/ancient-catholic-villages-in-myanmar-targeted-by-military |archive-date=2022-06-17 |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=The Tablet |language=en}}

Over the course of a week in 2023, army troops in Sagaing killed a total of 99 villagers, beheaded 20 resistance fighters, and raped at least 3 women.{{Cite web |date=11 March 2023 |title=Prominent Myanmar Monk Disappears After Being Detained by Regime Forces |url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/prominent-myanmar-monk-disappears-after-being-detained-by-regime-forces.html |access-date=11 March 2023 |website=The Irrawaddy |language=en-US |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311185343/https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/prominent-myanmar-monk-disappears-after-being-detained-by-regime-forces.html |url-status=live }}

File:Pin Laoung Town, Southern Shan State.JPG, southern Shan State]]

In March 2022, army troops tortured and executed at least 30 villagers during the Pinlaung massacre in Shan State, including 3 Buddhist monks.{{cite web |first=Esther |last=J. |date=16 March 2023 |title=Bodies of monks killed in Pinlaung massacre showed signs of torture |url=https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/bodies-of-monks-killed-in-pinlaung-massacre-showed-signs-of-torture |access-date=16 March 2023 |website=Myanmar Now |language=en |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316175602/https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/bodies-of-monks-killed-in-pinlaung-massacre-showed-signs-of-torture |url-status=live}} In mid-April, Myanmar Air Force bombed a celebration gathering during the Pazigyi massacre in Sagaing Region, killing at least 165 civilians, including several children, days before Thingyan, the Burmese new year.{{cite news |last=Paddock |first=Richard C. |title=Airstrike in Rebel-Held Region of Myanmar Kills at Least 100 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/world/asia/myanmar-airstrike.html |work=The New York Times |date=11 April 2023 |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412112258/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/world/asia/myanmar-airstrike.html |url-status=live}} The junta's spokesperson General Zaw Min Tun stated that they chose to attack the village as the village was allegedly opening a PDF office. The United Nations condemned the attack, citing a disregard of the military's duty to protect civilians.{{cite news |title=Myanmar military airstrike: More than 100 people feared dead |date=12 April 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65238250 |last1=Head |first1=Jonathan |last2=Yong |first2=Nicholas |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412175329/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65238250 |url-status=live}}

On 22 March 2025, an airstrike targeted a clinic in the village Hnan Khar in Magway, Myanmar, killing 11 people including a doctor.{{cite web|title= Myanmar Clinic Airstrike Kills 11 Including Doctor: Locals|url= https://thedefensepost.com/2025/03/25/myanmar-clinic-airstrike/|website=The Defense Post|date=25 March 2025}}

In April 2025, in the span of one week, the Myanmar military carried airstrikes on villages of Kywegyan, Sinkhaung, Gazat, and Masein in the Kalewa Township, Sagaing, killing at least five people and injured several others.{{cite web|title= Five civilians killed as Myanmar junta launches back-to-back airstrikes in Kalewa township|url= https://www.bnionline.net/en/news/five-civilians-killed-myanmar-junta-launches-back-back-airstrikes-kalewa-township|website=Burma News International|date=2 May 2025}}

On 12 May 2025, at least 22 civilians, including 20 children and two teachers, were killed in an airstrike on a school by the Myanmar Air Force in the village of Oe Htein Kwin, Tabayin in the Sagaing Region.{{cite web|title= Junta bombs a school in central Myanmar, kills at least 20 students|url= https://www.rfa.org/english/myanmar/2025/05/12/myanmar-junta-school-bombing/|website=Radio Free Asia|access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cite web|title= Dozens of children killed, injured in Myanmar junta’s deadliest attack in two years|url= https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/dozens-of-children-killed-injured-in-myanmar-juntas-deadliest-attack-in-two-years/|website=Myanmar Now|access-date=12 May 2025}}{{cite web|title= An airstrike in central Myanmar kills up to 22 people at a bombed school, reports say|url= https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-airstrike-school-saigaing-resistance-military-00bcff30abb05c1210514b6adc5c6a7f#|website=Associated Press|access-date=13 May 2025}}

On 21 February 2024, 2 members of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force murdered a Free Burma Rangers aid worker. They were court-martialed by the KNDF and sentenced to 20 years in prison. [https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/two-kndf-fighters-sentenced-in-killing-of-free-burma-rangers-member/ Two KNDF fighters sentenced in killing of Free Burma Rangers member]. Myanmar Now. Saw Reh. March 27, 2024

On August 5 and 6, 2024, Arakan Army forces launched attacks along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, targeting thousands of fleeing Rohingya civilians. According to eyewitnesses and survivors, these assaults resulted in over a hundred deaths, including women and children, as they sought refuge in Bangladesh.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Fortify Rights: Myanmar Investigation Report |url=https://www.fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2024-08-27/ |publisher=Fortify Rights}} The attacks were marked by the intentional targeting of civilians using drones and heavy artillery, leaving scores of dead bodies and countless injuries, forcing thousands to flee their homes. According to Rohingya news organization, Kaladan Press, RSO fighters were seen gathering in the area. Additionally, witnesses reported that armed men were seen running with the civilians. [https://kaladanpress.org/unravelling-the-maungdaw-exodus-new-report-sheds-light-on-factors-driving-large-scale-rohingya-displacement-in-maungdaw/ Unravelling the Maungdaw Exodus: new report sheds light on factors driving large-scale Rohingya displacement in Maungdaw] Kaladan Press December 17, 2024. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218061459/https://kaladanpress.org/unravelling-the-maungdaw-exodus-new-report-sheds-light-on-factors-driving-large-scale-rohingya-displacement-in-maungdaw/|date=December 18, 2024}}

According to Amnesty International photo and video analysis, as well as interviews with witnesses, indicated the Myanmar air force had dropped bombs on three locations near the St Peter Baptist Church in Sagaing's Kanan village on 7 January 2024, killed 17 villagers, including nine children, while at least 20 people were injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/8/amnesty-calls-for-war-crimes-probe-over-myanmar-military-bombing-of-church|title=Amnesty calls for war crimes probe over Myanmar military bombing of church|work=Al Jazeera|date=2024-02-08}}

On 24 May 2021, four people were killed and eight others were injured in an attack in Sacred Heart Church by the Tatmadaw near Loikaw, Kayah State.{{cite web|title= Four Catholics killed in military attack on Myanmar church|url= https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-05/myanmar-catholic-church-attack-military-four-dead.html|website=Vatican News|date=24 May 2021}}

In 2022, the Tatmadaw looted and torched Catholic chapels in several Bayingyi villages of the Sagaing region, with clergymen targeted and arrested. The village of Chaung Yoe was reportedly the hardest hit, being attacked with artillery, leaving only 20 of the 350 buildings left standing.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-05 |title=Political situation in Myanmar and the effects on Bayingyi villages - José Ramos-Horta |url=https://ramoshorta.com/political-situation-in-myanmar-and-the-effects-on-bayingyi-villages/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=ramoshorta.com |language=en-US}}

On 8 April 2025, several airstrikes by the military junta destroyed a Catholic church in Falam, Myanmar.{{cite web|title= Airstrikes destroy another Catholic church in Myanmar|url= https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/airstrikes-destroy-another-catholic-church-in-myanmar.html|website=Vatican News|date=2025-04-08}} On 13 April, a Baptist Church in Mindat, Chin State was severely damaged by airstrikes by the military junta.{{cite web|title= Myanmar junta continues airstrikes, another Church destroyed|url= https://www.ucanews.com/myanmar-junta-continues-airstrikes-another-church-destroyed/108517|website=Union of Catholic Asian News|date=15 April 2025}}

Junta forces have committed severe abuses against captured rebels, including public executions and torture.{{ cite web | url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/analysis/while-resistance-forces-follow-intl-law-myanmar-juntas-atrocities-continue.html | title=While Resistance Forces Follow Int'l Law, Myanmar Junta's Atrocities Continue | first=Nayt | last=Thit | date=9 February 2024 | website=The Irrawaddy }} As an example, on 7 November 2023, two members of the Yaw Defense Force, Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung, were publicly burned to death by junta soldiers and allied Pyusawhti militias members in the Gangaw township's Myauk Khin Yan village, Magway region, after suffering from torture. The military denied it was involved in the execution, though CNN has proven that the incident occurred at a time in which the regime was in full control of the village.{{cite web|author1=Helen Regan|author2=Angus Watson|author3=Anna Coren|author4=Su Chay|author5=Pallabi Munsi|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/27/asia/myanmar-military-junta-civilian-attacks-intl-hnk-dst/index.html|title=Burnings and beheadings: Myanmar junta escalates terror tactics against its people|date=2024-03-27|work=CNN}}

Some factions within the anti-junta rebellion allegedly committed abuses against prisoners. Reports of beatings and forced labor from Yaw Defence Force (YDF) prison camps reached news groups such as Myanmar Now. Many of the victims were fellow members of the YDF or civilians. [https://myanmar-now.org/mm/news/64367/ ယောကာကွယ်ရေးတပ်၏ အကျဉ်းထောင်အတွင်းမှ လူ့အခွင့်အရေးချိုးဖောက်မှုများ] June 18, 2025.

The pro-junta Pyusawhti militias have been accused of several atrocities against civilians as well as forcibly recruiting local men by threatening to burn down their villages.{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Jonathan |title=Myanmar's army is losing – and facing fire from a militant monk |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68038513 |access-date=24 January 2024 |agency=BBC |date=23 January 2024}}

In February 2024, Amnesty International and SAC-M urged the Security Council to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC). An ICC investigation in Bangladesh/Myanmar on the issue of the deportation of Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh had already been opened in November 2019.{{cite Q|Q131351383|url-status=live}}

On 27 November 2024, the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan KC filed an arrest warrant application for the Senior General and acting president Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, for his "criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya, committed in Myanmar, and in part in Bangladesh”.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Arrest warrant sought for Myanmar Commander-in-Chief for Rohingya crimes {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157536 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=news.un.org |language=en}} The prosecutor's statement also noted that more arrest warrant applications against high-level Myanmar government officials will follow.{{Cite web |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC: Application for an arrest warrant in the situation in Bangladesh/Myanmar {{!}} International Criminal Court |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-application-arrest-warrant-situation-bangladesh |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=www.icc-cpi.int |language=en}}

{{reflist}}{{War crimes}}