Background 38 destroyed food supplies and non-food items, blocked the delivery of aid, and delayed or refused administrative approvals for local, national, and international aid organizations.17 In February 2022, Fortify Rights released another report documenting junta war crimes occurring in Karenni State, including murder, forced displacement, and other serious human rights and laws of war violations committed against civilians between May 2021 and January 2022.18 Starting on November 11, 2023, in what is known as “Operation 1111,” ethnic resistance armies based in Karenni State began attacking junta forces in a push to seize Loikaw, the state capital. In response, the junta launched indiscriminate bombing and artillery attacks against civilians, which injured and killed civilians and destroyed civilian homes and infrastructure. The war continues in both Karenni and Kachin states, with civilians bearing the brunt of attacks by the Myanmar military junta. * * * As this report was being drafted, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, reportedly killing more than 3,700 people, flattening communities, and destroying infrastructure throughout Myanmar, particularly in Mandalay and Sagaing regions. The Myanmar military junta declared a temporary ceasefire on April 2, 2025, to facilitate earthquake-related humanitarian aid. Despite its self-declared ceasefire, Myanmar military aircraft continue to conduct airstrikes on civilians and civilian objects, including schools and religious buildings.19 Myanmar military junta jets bombed a school in Sagaing Region’s Tabayin Township on May 12, 2025, killing 22 schoolchildren and two teachers, six days after the Myanmar junta extended its selfdeclared ceasefire for the second time until the end of May.20 On July 31, 2025, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing announced the end of the four-year-long state of emergency imposed following the junta’s illegal seizure of power on February 1, 2021. He also announced that elections would take place in December. With the state of emergency lifted, the regime’s governing body, SAC, was dissolved. In its place, Min Aung Hlaing formed the State Security and Peace Commission, appointing himself as chairperson while retaining his position as Commander-in-Chief. While these moves are being framed as a transition to a democratically elected government, the upcoming elections are widely expected to be neither free nor fair.21 17 Fortify Rights, Access Denied: The Myanmar Military Junta’s Deprivation of Lifesaving Aid in Karenni (Kayah) State, November 2021, https://www.fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-rep-2021-11-10/. 18 Fortify Rights, Ongoing War Crimes in Karenni (Kayah) State, Myanmar: May 2021 to January 2022, February 2022, https:// www.fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-rep-2022-02-15/. 19 Fortify Rights, “Myanmar Junta Bombs Civilians During Ceasefire, Hits Earthquake Zones,” May 2, 2025, https://www. fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2025-05-02/. 20 Fortify Rights, “Malaysia: Impose Regional Aviation Fuel Embargo on Myanmar Junta,” May 14, 2025, https://www. fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2025-05-14/. 21 “Confirmed: Multiparty General Election Set for December,” The Global New Light of Myanmar, July 31, 2025, https:// www.gnlm.com.mm/confirmed-multiparty-general-election-set-for-december/; Junta Ministry of Communication, “National Defence and Security Council convenes Meeting 3/2025,” August 1, 2025, https://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/ news/18530.