UN Expert Flags Waning Global Resolve as Myanmar Violence and Displacement Escalate

What happened

UN News Asia Pacific reports on a final statement from Tom Andrews, the outgoing UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, who cautioned the UN Human Rights Council about escalating violence and mounting humanitarian needs nearly six years after Myanmar’s military coup. Andrews warns that international pressure on the junta is weakening, despite recent actions showing potential to limit military operations and arms acquisitions.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. Andrews’ report highlights that armed conflict continues to intensify nationwide, with over 1,140 airstrikes on civilian targets recorded in 2025 compared to only nine in 2021, according to UN sources. This dramatic increase in attacks has driven more than 3.6 million people from their homes due to ongoing clashes in multiple regions, including Sagaing, Magway, Chin, Bago, and Kayin.

The humanitarian fallout is severe: Nearly one-third of Myanmar’s population requires assistance, with over 12 million facing acute hunger, as reported by UN OCHA. The use of landmines by military forces has increased sharply, and more than 100,000 homes have been burned down, further destabilizing communities and exacerbating civilian vulnerability.

Known from the source

• Myanmar’s military coup occurred in February 2021, overthrowing the civilian government.
• Armed conflict and widespread violence persist, with resistance movements controlling large parts of the country.
• Airstrikes on civilian targets rose from 9 in 2021 to 1,140 in 2025 as reported by the UN.
• Over 3.6 million people are displaced across Myanmar due to fighting in several regions.
• At least 982 civilians were killed by airstrikes in 2025, including 287 children, according to OHCHR.

What remains unclear

The UN human rights office OHCHR attributes at least 982 civilian deaths in 2025 alone to airstrikes by Myanmar’s armed forces, a 53 percent increase from the previous year, including 287 children. In Rakhine State, more than 190 people reportedly died in aerial attacks that also destroyed civilian infrastructure such as homes, medical facilities, and displacement camps.

What remains unclear: Confirm casualty data from OHCHR and corroborate airstrike attributions to Myanmar’s military forces. Verify displacement and humanitarian need figures from OCHA or other UN agencies. Check facts regarding sanctions impact and military arms supply disruptions from secondary UN or government reports. Confirm the precise number and locations of airstrikes and related civilian infrastructure damage.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: UN News Asia Pacific Myanmar. Open the source.