Bago rescue exposes junta massacre

The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s resistance forces have freed more than 300 civilians in Bago Region after regime troops carried out what appears to be a mass killing, according to the National Unity Government (NUG).

The joint operation, led by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), took place over two days in Yei Twin Gone village tract.

It followed an airstrike and subsequent raids on 5 March, during which junta soldiers reportedly killed around 40 villagers and detained hundreds more. Survivors said they were forced to lie face-down under threat of execution, while others were ordered to dig graves for the dead.

Aerial footage released by the NUG shows villagers digging while bodies wrapped in blankets lie nearby. Local reports suggest more than 20 women and children were among those killed. The raids were carried out by troops from Light Infantry Battalions 264, 20 and 439, according to the Karen National Union.

Resistance fighters struck back on 7 March, killing a dozen junta soldiers and injuring 20. The rescue mission came at a heavy cost, with nine PDF fighters and two KNLA members losing their lives. The NUG has not clarified whether civilian deaths occurred during the initial airstrike or the ground assault that followed.

The massacre has drawn sharp condemnation. The Karen Peace Support Network, the US Campaign for Burma and the Overseas Irrawaddy Association labelled the killings crimes against humanity. On Thursday, they issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations and the wider international community, calling for immediate action against the junta and emergency aid for affected communities.

The events in Bago highlight the brutality of Myanmar’s military campaign and the growing role of resistance forces in protecting civilians. While the junta continues to rely on airstrikes and ground raids to assert control, the rescue of hundreds of hostages underscores both the resilience of local communities and the escalating human cost of the conflict.

-2026-03-12