Two years since the deadly air attack on Pa Zi Gyi village, Myanmar, and air strikes continue unabated

Geneva, 11 April 2025 – Two years ago today, the Myanmar military conducted air strikes in Pa Zi Gyi village in the Sagaing region of Myanmar, killing at least 155 people, including many children. It remains the deadliest single attack in Myanmar since the military overthrew the civilian government in February 2021.  

Aerial bombardments, including the use of drones and alleged use of chemical weapons, are a grim hallmark of the Myanmar conflict and have increased in frequency since the Pa Zi Gyi attack. Even as rescue workers searched for survivors during the devastating earthquake last month, the military continued its air attacks in Mandalay, Sagaing and other regions, killing and injuring civilians.  

“The systematic and escalating use of airstrikes by the Myanmar military across the country in recent years has caused widespread death, destruction and displacement, and has terrorized communities,” said Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, which is investigating air strikes in the country.  

“Civilians are not just indirect victims of these attacks but often appear to be the targets. Schools, homes, hospitals, clinics, displaced persons’ camps, churches, monasteries and public gatherings such as concerts have been bombed.”  

Indiscriminate air strikes or targeted attacks on civilians may constitute war crimes and/or crimes against humanity. The Mechanism has intensified its investigations into these incidents to determine the nature of the crimes and identify who is most responsible. 

“I would like those who are ordering and carrying out these brutal attacks to know that the Mechanism is collecting and analyzing evidence about these attacks. We are working towards the day when they will have to answer for their crimes in a court of law,” said Koumjian.  

The Mechanism has made multiple requests for information to Myanmar’s military authorities, to which they have not responded. 

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM or Mechanism) was created by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2018 to collect and analyse evidence of the most serious international crimes and other violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. It aims to facilitate justice and accountability by preserving and organizing this evidence and preparing case files that can be used by authorities to prosecute individuals in national, regional and international courts. 

For more information visit iimm.un.org or contact iimm@un.org