A Myanmar junta aerial strike of a village clinic in the Magway area killed 11 individuals including a healthcare worker and his wife, increasing worries among residents as the nation’s civil war spirals further out of hand.
The strike happened on Saturday morning in Hnan Khar, a village which is under control of forces of anti-coup. Eyewitnesses talked of scenes of carnage after the explosion. I heard a very big bomb while hiding. As I came back, I could only see human body parts,” a local who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons reminded.
The clinic, running out of a makeshift house, was left to ruin. Civilians are scared, another resident said to confirm that airstrikes had become more common. We are always listening for the sounds of fighter jets and readying to duck for cover. 
Myanmar has been grinding war since the military coup of 2021 that launched a civil war between the junta, anti-coup rebels and ethnic min armies. Though the junta has lost territory, its air power–backed by Russian technical support–is just as vital.
Figures from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) find a significant surge in civilian airstrikes – almost 800 – recorded in 2024 – more than treble the previous year’s tally. Analysts expect airstrikes to continue as a main military tactic as the junta comes under increasing pressure from the ground.
Despite mounting international criticism, Myanmar’s military keeps up the air assaults and civilians are caught in web of fear and violence.
