Myanmar Air Force Targets Wuntho Amid Ongoing Conflict in Sagaing Region

On Tuesday, the Myanmar Air Force conducted airstrikes in Wuntho Township, Sagaing Region, resulting in the death of a member of the People's Defence Force (PDF) and raising concerns over civilian safety. This military action is part of a broader counteroffensive launched from Indaw aimed at regaining control over strategic transport routes connecting Sagaing Region to Kachin State.

According to reports from the PDF, the airstrikes were a response to ongoing clashes with regime forces, which have intensified following the recapture of Maiza village in Indaw Township on October 9. This village had been under PDF control since April 2025. Wuntho is situated approximately 35 miles (55 km) southwest of Indaw and 181 miles (291 km) north of Monywa, the capital of Sagaing Region.

The military's counteroffensive was launched from Indaw in early September, targeting key positions along the Shwebo-Myitkyina road and railway, vital transit arteries for the region. Previous airstrikes have had devastating effects on civilians; for instance, on September 23, two civilians were killed and two trucks destroyed in Indaw due to airstrikes. Earlier, on April 9, nearly 30 civilians lost their lives, and many homes were destroyed in Wuntho’s Namkhan village during similar military actions.

“The military's ongoing airstrikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties, raising alarms about the humanitarian impact of this conflict.”Local Human Rights Activist

In the ongoing conflict, the PDF has received support from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which has further complicated the situation. The military successfully recaptured Indaw town on May 1, following a period of intense fighting that began when PDF forces, aided by the KIA, seized the town on April 7, 2025. Indaw is located 209 miles (336 km) north of Monywa. This back-and-forth struggle underscores the ongoing instability in the region, which has been marked by violence and significant civilian casualties.

In a separate report, Myanmar Now highlighted that the junta's airstrikes on the same day also resulted in at least eight civilian deaths in villages near the Mon-Karen border, indicating a broader pattern of high civilian casualties associated with military operations. This aligns with local accounts that emphasize the indiscriminate nature of the airstrikes, which have increasingly targeted populated areas. While Indonesian coverage of the airstrikes focused on the military's strategic objectives and the implications for control over transport routes, Myanmar's outlets framed the situation as a humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the tragic loss of civilian lives and the urgent need for international attention and intervention.

Additionally, reports from DVB noted that airstrikes have severely impacted local economies, particularly in areas like Kyauktaw in Arakan State, where trade has plummeted following deadly military actions. A shop owner mentioned that sales have dropped by 70% due to the ongoing violence, illustrating how military operations disrupt not only lives but also livelihoods. This economic perspective was less emphasized in Indonesian reports, which concentrated more on the military's strategic maneuvers.

The conflict in Myanmar has escalated dramatically since the military coup in February 2021, leading to widespread unrest and a humanitarian crisis affecting millions. The United Nations has repeatedly called for ceasefires and humanitarian access to affected areas, but such calls have largely gone unheeded amid the ongoing violence.