Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from May 7
(MoeMaKa), May 8, 2026
Daily casualties amid ongoing airstrikes
Airstrikes by the military junta are continuing on a near-daily basis, and in recent days have occurred in regions such as Sagaing, Chin State, Rakhine State, and Karen State, resulting in significant casualties.
In Sagaing Region, an airstrike targeted a hospital in Winmana village, Kani Township, on the afternoon of May 7. According to reports, two PDF (People’s Defense Force) members who were receiving medical treatment were killed. Sagaing Region, which consists of 38 townships and covers a vast ტერიტry, remains largely outside the junta’s full control, with the military holding only most of the urban centers.
Following the collapse of the BNRA (led by Bo Nagar), which had been active in Pale and Yinmabin townships in recent months, junta forces have reportedly launched ground offensives into villages in those areas. These operations appear to be based in part on intelligence obtained from some surrendered PDF members, combining both airstrikes and ground assaults.
In recent months, after regaining control of towns along the Mandalay–Mogok road on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, the junta may now be setting its sights on Sagaing Region along the western bank as a secondary target.
Another airstrike took place on May 6 in Chin State’s Tedim Township, where a PDF Zoland base in Phunon village was bombed, resulting in the deaths of nine members—five women and four men, according to reports.
The Zoland PDF base, located near Kennedy Peak in Tedim Township, was hit by jet fighters, damaging buildings and causing the fatalities. In recent days, the junta has recaptured Falam in central Chin State and regained control of Kennedy Peak, which lies along the road connecting to northern Chin State’s Tedim. Since the period following Operation 1027 in 2024, the military has been making clear efforts to reclaim territories it previously lost. These renewed offensives appear to be accompanied by increased airstrikes in Chin State.
On May 7, another airstrike occurred in Minbya Township, Rakhine State—an area controlled by the Arakan Army (AA). Reports indicate that five military aircraft carried out bombing raids over mountainous areas near Kyauk Htauk village. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of casualties from that strike.
In connection with the bombing near Minbya, reports from a Rakhine-based news outlet say that nearly 100 bombs were dropped by air that same night on mountains near Kyauktaw. Based on these reports, it is believed that the junta is targeting suspected AA bases, deploying multiple aircraft and dropping dozens to hundreds of bombs.
The junta has been unable to retake territories in Rakhine State controlled by the AA for years. At the same time, it is heavily defending key locations such as Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, while also trying to prevent AA and allied forces from advancing toward defense industry facilities near the Rakhine–Magway border.
The junta appears to be increasingly relying on airstrikes as a strategic tool, especially in areas where it cannot mount effective ground offensives. It is likely aiming to sustain prolonged aerial attacks—lasting months or even years—in hopes of forcing ethnic armed groups to relinquish territory or agree to ceasefires.
Although airstrikes have caused casualties among armed group members, civilians have also been killed and injured. The question of how to withstand and resist the pressure of ongoing airstrikes is becoming a critical challenge for resistance forces.