UNICEF alarmed over reports of deadly Myanmar air strikes on civilians

UNICEF expressed alarm on February 26 over reports of Myanmar military air strikes that a rebel group and local media said inflicted large civilian casualties, as a civil war rages around the country. The United Nations children's agency emphasized the devastating impact of such attacks on civilian populations, particularly children who are often the most vulnerable in conflict zones. While specific casualty numbers remain difficult to verify independently, reports from local sources and opposition groups indicate significant loss of life and injuries among non-combatants. The strikes come amid escalating violence in Myanmar's ongoing civil conflict, which has intensified since the military's 2021 coup d'état against the democratically elected government. UNICEF has repeatedly called for all parties to the conflict to protect civilian infrastructure and ensure the safety of children, who face heightened risks of displacement, recruitment into armed groups, and loss of access to essential services like healthcare and education in the deteriorating security situation.