In the Karenni region, where there is strong resistance, people are growing more concerned that the airstrikes carried out by the Military Council are not only impacting areas of fighting, but also non-combat zones.
According to an internally displaced person (IDP) in Demoso township, the number of safe places for the local population is shrinking, and they are increasingly subjected to incessant fear of aerial bombardment.
An IDP from Demoso township said, "Up till now we have constantly lived in fear of airstrikes. Even the slightest gust of wind prompts me to listen anxiously listen for the sound of warplanes or similar threats. Every noise, even if it's someone else doing something, triggers thoughts of artillery shells. This has become a regular occurrence, leaving me feeling unsafe no matter where I go.".
The IDP mentioned that whenever the sound of a warplane is heard, people quickly seek refuge in bomb shelters. However, she expressed concern that if there were to be an actual bombing attack, the available shelters may not provide sufficient protection for everyone.
She also highlighted that the airstrikes conducted by the Military Council were utilizing 500-pound bombs, resulting in significant and extensive damage to the affected areas.
In reference to the airstrike, a member of the revolutionary forces expressed, "Even in the midst of battle, both sides engage in shooting, but the weapons employed are far from equitable. The use of such overwhelming force renders the battles inherently unequal. When warplanes unleash bombs upon the locations of IDPs, it traumatizes the IDPs themselves. Some are left orphaned, while others lose their children."
On May 24 at 10:00 pm, five members of the revolutionary forces were killed in an aerial bombardment on the western side of Demoso township, despite the fact that there was no fighting taking place in that area. A news and information officer of the People's Defense Forces in Demoso township stated that such actions have become a routine practice of the Military Council. The PDF officer commented , "This is what they do all the time. The Military Council shows no mercy. They bomb people and even target religious buildings, schools, and clinics. It seems like this is their usual behavior."
During the period from May 14 to 23, amidst the fighting on the eastern side of Demoso, the Military Council conducted approximately 60 airstrikes using fighter jets.
Furthermore, on the night of May 24, an area on the west side of Demoso, which was not experiencing any fighting, was subjected to bombings. Similarly, on May 23, the Mobye IDP camp, also unaffected by fighting, was targeted. Additionally, on May 18, an IDP camp in the east side of Demoso was also bombed.
In 2023, the Military Council systematically conducted airstrikes, and during the period from March to May, in addition to the airstrikes, the Karenni Human Rights Group reports that around 200 houses were damaged as a result of deliberate arson committed by the Military Council.
