Civilian toll rises amid airstrikes and forced conscription in southeastern Myanmar, rights group reports

What happened

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has reported a worsening human rights situation in southeastern Myanmar’s Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region, citing increased air attacks, forced conscription, and widespread displacement. HURFOM’s Program Director Nai Aue Mon told DVB that the military’s expanding use of long-range weapons—including fighter jets, drones, and heavy artillery—has terrorized rural populations who lack means to defend themselves.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to HURFOM’s field documentation from resistance-held areas and border corridors, military operations surrounding Myanmar’s January 2026 elections displaced over 85,000 people in southern Mon State and northern Tanintharyi, with 56 armed clashes resulting in 255 homes destroyed. Recent fighting near the Dawei Deep Seaport project has triggered new clashes and displacement in Launglon and Yebyu townships.

Forced conscription campaigns have intensified, targeting men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27 through checkpoints, village quotas, and extortion according to HURFOM estimates. Since 2024, they report approximately 5,700 conscripted in Mon State, 3,600 to 4,800 in Karen State, and 4,700 to 5,200 in Tanintharyi. HURFOM also raised concerns that following Thailand’s deportation of over 120 Myanmar nationals in March 2026, those within conscription age were intercepted and sent to military recruitment centers.

Known from the source

• HURFOM reports worsening human rights conditions in Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi regions in southeastern Myanmar.
• Military operations near the January 2026 elections resulted in over 85,000 displaced residents and 255 homes destroyed in southern Mon State and northern Tanintharyi Region.
• There have been 56 armed clashes documented in these areas between 2025 and 2026.
• HURFOM estimates forcible conscription of approximately 5,700 people in Mon State, between 3,600 and 4,800 in Karen State, and between 4,700 and 5,200 in Tanintharyi Region since 2024.
• Thailand deported over 120 Myanmar nationals through Kawthaung port on March 8, 2026, with some deportees within conscription age reportedly intercepted and sent to recruitment centers.

What remains unclear

Nai Aue Mon criticized U.S. policy contradictions, noting the Department of State’s Level 4 travel advisory for Myanmar contrasts with the Department of Homeland Security’s recent termination of Temporary Protected Status for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals. He urged deportees to seek legal counsel and cautioned against relying on unverified social media for information.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independently verify casualty and displacement numbers related to airstrikes and clashes reported by HURFOM. Confirm the attribution of airstrikes and whether the military is the definite actor involved. Verify the numbers and process for forced conscription, including deportee interceptions and recruitment procedures.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.