UN: over 170 civilians killed in Myanmar during elections

TT

Published 12.28

 

UN human rights chief Volker Türk warns that the situation in Myanmar has worsened since the 2021 coup. Archive photo. Photo: Martial Trezzini/AP/TT

At least 170 civilians were killed in about 408 military airstrikes in Myanmar during the period around the country's heavily criticized elections in December 2025-January 2026, according to the UN.

The UN warned that the real number could be higher due to broken communications and fear among witnesses.

The elections have been condemned internationally as an attempt to legitimize military rule five years after the coup against Aung San Suu Kyi. According to the UN, the vote was held in only 263 of 330 municipalities, mostly in areas under military control, and large groups such as refugees and Rohingya were excluded.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned in a statement on Friday that “the deep and widespread despair inflicted on the people of Myanmar” since the 2021 coup “has only been deepened by the latest military-sponsored election.”