A late-night military airstrike struck a historic mining community in northeastern Myanmar on August 14, killing more than 20 civilians in what has become another deadly example of the country's escalating internal conflict.
According to ABC News, Myanmar's armed forces bombed Mogok, a gem-mining town seized by rebel groups, killing at least 21 civilians and adding to the region’s growing violence as the military attempts to regain territory ahead of a proposed national election.
The attack occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. in Shwegu ward, located in Mogok township, around 115 kilometers northeast of Mandalay. Local sources report that the strike hit residential structures and a Buddhist monastery, leaving behind rubble and significant structural damage.
According to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which currently controls the area, the death toll includes 16 women among the 21 confirmed fatalities. The group also stated that seven others were injured during the airstrike. Lway Yay Oo, a spokesperson for the TNLA, confirmed the extent of the destruction, noting that multiple homes and religious buildings were affected. The monastery and surrounding homes were reportedly the focus of the attack, although the military has not responded to requests for comment.
Residents Claim Higher Death Toll Than Official Reports
On August 16, two Mogok residents, speaking anonymously due to fear of military retaliation, told the Associated Press that the number of dead could be closer to 30. They said one of the homes bombed was hosting visitors at the time, which may have contributed to the higher casualty count.
These residents emphasized the emotional toll on local families, many of whom have lost multiple relatives in a single night. The presence of a pregnant woman among the victims has added to public outrage, especially among resistance supporters and human rights watchdogs. The TNLA, part of a larger coalition of ethnic militias opposing Myanmar's military government, seized control of Mogok in July 2024. Since its takeover, the alliance has faced repeated airstrikes, including several earlier this month in TNLA-controlled zones.
Air Raids Increase as Election Nears
This latest bombing appears to be part of a larger campaign by Myanmar’s army, which has intensified aerial attacks on opposition-held regions. Military offensives have escalated sharply ahead of an election that authorities have vowed to conduct before the end of 2025.
Critics of the planned vote say it lacks legitimacy, citing a controlled media environment and the imprisonment of nearly all opposition leaders from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, which was ousted in a February 2021 coup. Several resistance groups have publicly vowed to obstruct the scheduled election. Myanmar’s civil war began after the 2021 military coup ousted the democratically elected government. Since then, the army has frequently labeled resistance groups as terrorists while defending its airstrikes as directed at what it deems hostile threats.
Strikes Hit Civilians Amid Military Push
In the first two weeks of August, TNLA sources reported that at least 17 additional people had died and 20 were injured in military air raids across rebel-controlled areas. Among the dead were reportedly two Buddhist monks, underlining growing alarm about the military’s targeting tactics.
Earlier in the same week, on August 11, 2025, approximately 16 truck drivers perished in central Myanmar after strikes on a convoy that had been immobilized due to surrounding fighting near Sagaing. Independent reports later confirmed this incident as one of the deadliest involving civilians this month. The Myanmar military continues to control Naypyidaw, the national capital, and other central regions. However, analysts and opposition figures believe it now holds less than half of the country’s territory, as various ethnic militias expand their influence.
Local Media Provide Rare Images of the Aftermath
Independent outlets such as Myanmar Now and the Democratic Voice of Burma have published rare footage from the Mogok airstrike site. The videos show destroyed residential buildings and scattered debris across what were once community gathering spots.
The footage, shared widely on social media by opposition supporters, has prompted renewed calls for international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Yet global responses remain limited as the conflict grows increasingly complex and difficult to access. While resistance forces have gained ground in some rural border areas, they cannot defend against ongoing air attacks. Observers note that without anti-air defense infrastructure, communities remain vulnerable to further strikes.
Army Silent as Tensions Continue to Climb
To date, the Myanmar military has not released any statement about the airstrike in Mogok. This silence is consistent with past incidents, where the armed forces have either avoided commentary or justified similar bombings as necessary counter-insurgency measures. The international community has expressed ongoing concern about the impacts of aerial bombardments on civilians. However, with communication blackouts in many contested regions, full assessments of civilian casualties remain difficult to verify independently.
As violence intensifies, residents in areas targeted by airstrikes say they are struggling to rebuild or even bury their dead. The situation in Mogok is the latest reminder of the human toll exacted by the sustained conflict and raises questions about the military's long-stated timeline for a national election.
