Myanmar Witness

Places of worship are intended to provide sanctuary and peace, even during times of war. But in Myanmar, many of these historic sites are increasingly becoming scenes of devastation.

A Myanmar Air Force aircraft crashed in Sa Par Sayt village in Sagaing’s Pale Township on 10 June 2025. Resistance groups claimed they shot it down, while SAC sources stated the crash was caused by an engine failure. Myanmar Witness examined the footage and claims surrounding the incident.

This report investigates claims of Myanmar military airstrikes on villages to assess whether they were isolated incidents or part of a broader pattern. While the State Administration Council (SAC) maintains these strikes are necessary, targeted responses to threats, Myanmar Witness found that in many cases, strikes destroyed or severely damaged villages and infrastructure in areas where civilians, including children, were reportedly present. This contradicts the SAC’s assertion that only insurgents are targeted and suggests that even so-called isolated strikes may reflect a broader, more indiscriminate use of force.