Disconnected and Targeted : How Internet Cuts and Airstrikes Intensify Civilian Suffering

Introduction

Following the military coup on February 1,2021, Myanmar fell once to a new low again in terms of internet freedom. UK based Top10VPN reported internet shutdowns have inflicted Myanmar economy a loss of $1.58 billion in 2024.

Myanmar Internet Project (MIP) also documented that internet shutdown occurred in at least 82 townships across Myanmar in 2024 alone, according to the report “The Situation of Digital Repression in Myanmar in the Year 2024”. Due to internet shutdown and communication disruptions, laypeople residing in shutdown affected areas are increasingly facing challenges from communication difficulties, impacts of rising commodity prices, and cash shortages.

Internet shutdown clearly impacts the information flow. On the other hand, when the military coup prolonged and the momentum of the resistance intensified, we have observed patterns indicating that the junta facing an attritional loss of ground forces, had been increasingly resorting to excessive use of airstrikes.

According to the joint report titled “2nd wave of operation 1027 (June 2024 - December 2024)” published by Enemy Air Route (ERA) and Nationwide Air Scout (NAS) — groups responsible for operating the early warning system for airstrike alerts — the states and regions of

Mandalay, northern Shan, Sagaing, Chin, Rakhine, Kachin, and Magway experienced hundreds of airstrikes

carried out by the military junta between June and December 2024, beginning of the second wave of Operation 1027.

Based on the internet shutdown data collected after the coup by MIP, the states and regions of Sagaing, Kachin, northern Shan, Chin, Magway, Rakhine, and Mandalay experienced more than ten instances of internet shutdowns.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on December 20 2024, also announced that between July 1 and December 20, 2024, a total of 287 individuals were confirmed killed in airstrikes carried out by the military junta, with their names documented in a compiled list. The report also noted that Rakhine State accounted for the highest number of casualties, with a total of 90 deaths. Rakhine is a state that experienced an almost complete internet and mobile connections shutdown following the intensified clashes between the Arakan Army(AA) and junta troops.

The above comparisons raise serious concern highlighting that populace in internet and/or mobile connection shutdowns are not only impacted from social economic hardships but are also subjected to airstrike threats by the military.

In this report, after analyzing the airstrike incidents carried out by the junta from November 2024 to January 2025, the focus is placed on communication difficulties, the nature of the airstrikes, and the increasing threats to civilian lives.

Data Collection

When collecting the data for airstrikes and the damages caused by those airstrikes, it is documented daily based on reports from independent media outlets and local news agencies which are operating in the ethnic area. Moreover, facts related to airstrikes released from ethnic arm groups were collected. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information included in this report, data and certain news events from reports published by independent organizations up to February 2025 have also been referenced and used.

When collecting the data, due to internet and mobile communication shutdowns and communication security issues, the reported number of wounded and fatalities may differ from the actual situation on the ground. It was observed that, in reporting the number of incidents involving casualties caused by airstrikes, there were discrepancies in the figures reported by individual news agencies. To ensure the data validity of the report, only the minimum numbers have been taken into account when calculating data from sources with discrepancies.

Regions and States Targeted by Airstrikes from November 2024 to January 2025

From November 2024 to January 2025, MIP was able to document the 140 airstrikes incidents across various Regions and States.

Findings Based on the 140 Airstrike Incidents Recorded Over the Three-Month Period, it was found that airstrikes attacks happened in 65 townships across 13 out of 14 regions and states.

We observed that 64 out of 65 townships that experienced the airstrike incidents from 2024 November to 2025 December also suffered the internet shutdown occurrences when checked against internet and mobile shutdown data documented by MIP. Only one township, Taungtha, could not be confirmed for the regional internet shutdown incidents.

Airstrike Attacks Incidents Across Regions and States

According to an analysis of airstrike incidents that were documented between November 2024 and January 2025, it was found that Rakhine State, Mandalay Region, Shan State, and Sagaing Region are the most incidents.

Rakhine is a state under a complete internet and mobile shutdown, and it has been witnessing intense clashes between the Military Council and the Arakan Army (AA). The State Administration Council (SAC) has lost control of 14 out of the 17 townships in Rakhine StatIt was identified that SAC carried out airstrikes on the residential areas within the townships it had lost control of.

An observation of the townships in the Mandalay Region — which experienced the second highest number of airstrikes — revealed that airstrikes were primarily conducted in areas where the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) were launching major offensives. It was discovered that airstrikes operated in the Mandalay region utilized the use of powered parachutes (Paragliders) by SAC. Due to an airstrike carried out by the State Administration Council (SAC) on Mogoke town in the Mandalay Region — which had come under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) despite the absence of any armed clashes — on November 11, 2024, nine civilians were killed and at least thirteen were wounded.

A number of townships in northern Shan State have fallen out of the State Administration Council’s (SAC) control, and in the townships of the Sagaing Region—where the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have a strong presence—the SAC has conducted a substantial number of airstrikes.

“During the time when the internet and mobile connections were shut down, we had no way of knowing about the arrival of the aircraft. There was no kind of warning system at all. If they came, we just had to endure whatever happened. What we really hope for is that, whether it's from the fire department “sounding the horn” or someone else, we would like someone to alert us or help us in some way. In Current, When it comes to jet fighters, the plane is already overhead by the time we hear the sound. If a bomb were really dropped, we wouldn’t even know it happened. We have no early warning system or any means of communication," said Nan Yin On (pseudonym), who experienced the airstrike on the Kyaukme hospital.

She continued, saying, “ If we face an airstrike, there’s no communication at all. Without a connection, we have no way of knowing what’s happening. If jet fighters come, we can't contact each other. If they drop a bomb, it just means death.”

Nway Oo San (pseudonym), currently residing in Myingyan, said, "To highlight the mobile communication situation—jets fly overhead from the city to carry out airstrikes, and we even know which village they’re heading to. But it’s often impossible to contact the target area due to mobile network difficulties. We can conclude that communication is really difficult.”

“ To know about the plane flying, we can only identify with the sound - whether it’s a jet fighter, a Y-12, or just a passenger plane. Although it is challenging to be accurate, for a communication shutdown area, we cannot do it anymore.” said Min Thit (pseudonym), a resident of Namhsan.

Dee Dee (pseudonym), a resident of Mogoke, also expressed concern that “if mobile connections are available, the risk of airstrikes could increase due to SAC informers being able to report their location to the military. On the other hand, when mobile connections are unavailable, he faces difficulties contacting his relatives who live far away.”

Townships which have experienced the highest number of airstrike attacks, face difficulties in receiving timely airstrike raid warnings due to internet and mobile network outages.

The Impact of SAC’s Airstrikes on Civilians

According to the 140 airstrike cases documented by MIP, at least 387 civilians were killed and 446 others were wounded. The fatalities included 27 children under the age of 18.

When observing the civilians’ fatalities and wounded situations across various regions and states due to carrying out the airstrikes, evidence indicates that Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Rakine State, and Shan State have the highest numbers of civilian casualties.

An investigation into the 140 airstrike incidents documented by MIP between November 2024 and January 2025 shows that Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Rakhine State, and Shan State are among the areas that experienced the most frequent airstrike attacks. Moreover, the townships within Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Rakhine State, and Shan State that were subjected to airstrikes have been against mobile and internet connection shutdown conditions.

Losing Fundamental Rights Under the Airstrike Attacks

It was determined that the escalating airstrike attacks by SAC are not only affecting causality of the civilian population but also threatening the right to education, one of the most fundamental human rights.

Nation Unity Government’s (NUG) Aung San University of Liberal Arts and Sciences which is located in western part of Myaing Township in Magway region, was targeted by airstrikes twice on January 30, 2025. As a result of the airstrike, one female student was killed and four others were injured.

Due to the airstrike threatened by SAC, In Myaung Township, Magway Region, a number of schools under NUG were forced to close.

Parts of an airborne munition dropped by the SAC

Found at Aung San University in Myaing Township, Magway Region – January 30, 2025 (Photo - RFA)

Due to airstrikes threatened by the SAC, students living in crisis areas are unable to attend in-person classes at school. Additionally, as a result of internet disruptions, they are also losing access to education through online platforms. Although only certain locations have access to Starlink internet, students are using it by paying a monthly fee of 150,000 MMK (approximately $35). In this situation, access to education through online platforms has become a big issue for the students. The airstrikes conducted by the SAC are clearly impacting access to education, which is one of the fundamental human rights.

“Students living in affected airstrikes areas are facing numerous airstrikes.Some students from families who can afford it have moved to the city and are continuing their education. But, students from middle- and lower-income families are still losing the access to education” said local resident Ma Nway Oo San (pseudonym) from Myin Gyan.

Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica reported that from September to December 2024, a series of airstrikes carried out by the military council damaged 32 schools and seven healthcare facilities, including clinics and hospitals.

Destructed situation of Hospitals, Schools, and Religious Buildings - Data by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica

It was observed that in the series of airstrikes, civilians’ houses, Schools, religious buildings and also health infrastructures were attacked.

In an airstrike conducted in Kantaunggy - located in Myebon Township, Rakhine - on January 3, 2025, a school and a hospital were damaged. On January 11, 2025, during the Kyauktaw Township airstrike, Rakhine Stake, Kyauktaw Hospital - including the patient ward, the outpatient department, the medical storeroom, and staff housings - were damaged and some staffers and patients were wounded. On the afternoon of January 25, during an airstrike conducted in Kyaukme Township, Northern Shan State, two individuals were killed and including patients more than 20 individuals harmed. According to the data which was documented by MIP, in a series of 140 airstrikes, there were 6 incidents involving damage to hospitals or clinics and 14 incidents involving damage to schools that were founded.

In Rakhine, as the offensive to seize towns intensified, SAC carried out airstrikes in towns and villages. Narinjara reported that patients wounded by airstrikes, landmines, and other life-threatening explosive remnants left by the military - as well as patients in need of medical treatment for other health conditions - are now facing difficulties in accessing emergency blood transfusions when needed

The news also stated that the reason for the difficulty in finding blood is difficult to contact with blood donors as a result of mobile and internet shutdown situations. Calculation based on the 140 airstrike incidents documented by MIP, due to the airstrike attack 446 individuals were wounded. For the communication needed to provide timely medical treatment to the injured, internet and communication shutdown can exacerbate the life-threatening situation.

Therefore, a series of airstrikes conducted in the areas with mobile and internet shutdown have threatened the access to education and fundamental health care services of ordinary people.

Key Finding

Due to airstrikes by the SAC, townships which have seen the highest civilian casualties in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Rakhine State, and Shan State have experienced communication shutdowns.
According to the analysis based on 140 airstrike incidents that carried out from November 2024 to January 2025, airstrike incidents have occurred in 65 townships 13 out of 14 Regions and states, and 64 of those townships are currently experiencing communication shutdown.
As a consequence of mobile and internet communication shutdowns, it has become difficult for residents to receive early warning alerts for airstrikes in time.
In addition to school closures caused by airstrikes, the shutdown of internet and mobile services has made it difficult for the students in the affected areas to access online education.
The shutdown of internet and mobile services created the difficulties and challenges to serve the fundamental health care services on time.

Recommended Citation Style - Myanmar Internet Project (2025, April 23). Disconnected and Targeted: How Internet Cuts and Airstrikes Intensify Civilian Suffering, https://www.myanmarinternet.info/post/internet_shutdown_and_airstrikes-1