Data Matters No. 47
In the first five months of 2023, the number of civilian deaths reached a record high, with at least 748 individuals losing their lives in clashes. This figure accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total civilian casualties reported in the previous year. Since the coup, at least 8,640 civilians have been killed. Approximately 2,183 of these deaths were caused by gunshots inflicted by the State Administration Council (SAC), either during protests or while individuals were in SAC detention. Another 2,454 people were killed in armed conflicts. According to SAC statistics, 4,003 individuals accused of being SAC informants were allegedly murdered. However, due to the lack of independent verification of these statistics, their accuracy remains uncertain.
When compared to international incidents, the total number of civilian casualties in Myanmar over the course of two years and four months since the coup is alarmingly high. For instance, as of May 20, 2023, the war in Ukraine resulting from Russia’s invasion has claimed the lives of at least 8,895 civilians. This highlights the significant similarity between the number of civilian casualties caused by the destructive weapons utilized in Russia’s invasion and the casualties resulting from armed conflicts in Myanmar.
