Amnesty International has urgently called for measures to protect civilians in Myanmar following a recent and staggering attack during the Thadingyut Festival of Lights in central Myanmar. A reported paramotor strike resulted in over 20 civilian fatalities, including children, as motorized paragliders reportedly dropped explosives on a crowd gathered in Chaung-U Township. Witnesses recounted that the attacks began around 8 PM, targeting a candlelight vigil intended to protest against government actions including the detention of political prisoners, forced conscription, and the military-led electoral process.
According to local residents, the paramotors—single-seat paragliders equipped with small engines—emitted a harsh, chainsaw-like sound as they approached. The UN human rights office has issued warnings regarding these aircraft, noting that they often drop 120mm mortar rounds indiscriminately on populated areas. This method of attack marks a continuation of tactics deployed by military forces in Myanmar, similar to those seen following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in March.
The attack highlights ongoing patterns of violence that have persisted since the military coup in 2021. Data collected by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights following the earthquake indicated at least 243 military operations, incorporating 171 air strikes, all in violation of a declared “ceasefire.” In a separate instance, air strikes in January 2024 near a church in Sagaing resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians, with a significant number being children, prompting calls for investigations into potential war crimes. More details on the recent attack can be found here.
Despite international sanctions aiming to cut military access to jet fuel, shipments of aviation fuel have nevertheless reached Myanmar through regional supply chains. This raises questions about whether the military’s increasing use of paramotors is due to national fuel constraints or represents a tactical shift.
Now four years into the conflict, the military struggles to maintain control across central and northern Myanmar, as fighting with People’s Defense Forces and allied ethnic armies continues to displace communities. According to independent assessments, resistance forces hold substantial portions of the country, advancing increasingly into strategic regions like the Bamar heartland and towards Mandalay.