Kyauktaw Airstrike Raises Civilian Massacre Events to 115

Over the five years following the coup, at least 115 incidents of mass killings involving 10 or more civilians have occurred, resulting in 2,324 civilian fatalities. Approximately 65 percent of all deaths were caused by airstrikes.

By ISP Admin | October 1, 2026

Photo – AFP

This Conflict & Security Tracker No. 2 (2026 Series) was published on October 1, 2026, as an English translation of the original Burmese version released on September 30, 2026.

Period
February 1, 2021 to September 29, 2026.

Incidents/events
On September 28, 2026, the airstrike carried out by the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) near the market named “India Market” and Kissapanadi Bridge in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 civilians. Since the 2021 military coup, at least 115 civilian massacres—defined by ISP-Myanmar as events with 10 or more civilian fatalities—have occurred, claiming 2,324 lives in total. Roughly 65 percent of all fatalities were caused by airstrikes.

Locations
Massacres have occurred across the country, except for the Yangon Region.

Actors Involved
Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and armed resistance forces.

Types
Mass civilian deaths caused by armed assaults, arson, and/or airstrikes.

Status/Trends
The MAF was responsible for at least 110 of these mass killing incidents, causing at least 2,227 civilian fatalities. Five incidents were committed by armed groups other than the MAF or its affiliates, resulting in at least 97 civilian deaths. Following General Ye Win Oo becoming Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, the MAF launched large-scale offensives across the Kachin, Rakhine, and Karen fronts. Airstrikes and drone attacks have escalated, leading to ongoing mass civilian fatalities.

Risk Level
Civilians residing in resistance-controlled territories and areas experiencing intense military clashes face the highest risk of harm. Beyond civilian homes, religious buildings, hospitals, and schools are also being directly targeted, reflecting a severe breakdown in civilian protection measures during the conflict.

Implications
Targeting non-combatants yields dismal returns for victims and grave risks for perpetrators. Deliberate attacks on civilians swell death tolls and flatten homes, while steadily expanding the dossier of war crimes against those responsible.