Myanmar Airstrikes Hit 123 Townships Amid Internet Blackouts

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Myanmar’s military has launched airstrikes in 123 townships between February and July 2025, with over 90 percent of those areas simultaneously experiencing internet blackouts, according to a new report by the Myanmar Internet Project (MIP).

The six-month investigation, titled Communication Blackouts During Airstrikes, reveals a chilling pattern: 645 airstrikes were carried out across nearly every state and division except Yangon, with only 19 days free of bombardment. Of the 123 townships targeted, 115—roughly 93.5 percent—suffered communication shutdowns, leaving civilians cut off and vulnerable.

Sagaing Region, Shan State, and Rakhine State were among the hardest hit. One of the deadliest incidents occurred on 11 July, when a monastery sheltering displaced people in Lintalu village, Sagaing, was bombed, killing more than 30.

The report highlights how communication blackouts amplify the danger. “Civilians in conflict zones without internet access are at significantly higher risk of death from military airstrikes,” MIP stated. Over 96 percent of the 1,000 confirmed civilian deaths occurred in areas where communications were disabled.

Beyond the human toll, the strikes have destroyed thousands of homes and damaged 83 religious buildings, 50 schools, and 19 hospitals and clinics. The junta has reportedly threatened further attacks on townships suspected of contacting rebel forces during internet outages.

Myanmar now ranks second globally for internet shutdowns, with 13 of its 14 states and regions affected, according to the National Unity Government.

MIP is urging international organisations to provide communication tools to help protect civilians and to pressure the junta to end its blackout tactics. The report paints a stark picture of a regime using digital isolation as a weapon, leaving communities defenceless in the face of relentless aerial assault.

-2025-10-07