Myanmar junta's airstrikes linked to ‘four-cuts’ strategy

By Mizzima
28 May 2023
Myanmar junta's airstrikes linked to ‘four-cuts’ strategy
Photo Credit- Kyun Hla Activists Group

Pan Pan/ Mizzima 

One of the reasons why the Myanmar junta uses airstrikes is that it wants to implement the military’s “four-cuts” strategy, which involves cutting food, funds, intelligence, and recruits, said Moe Htet Nay, a researcher and political adviser for NGO Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica. 

Last week, Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica reported that the junta carried out 1,427 airstrikes across Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021.  

"We can see that the places of the revolutionary groups and the villagers who support them are being attacked on purpose. In particular, I see that the four-cuts strategy is being used by the military,” Moe Htet Nay told Mizzima. 

“Not only were the locations of the revolutionary forces targeted, but also areas populated by civilians were subjected to bombing, resulting in the displacement of civilians from their homes and destruction of food. So, I think they use airstrikes to implement the four-cuts strategy,” he told Mizzima.  

According to the research published on 22 May by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, the frequency of airstrikes escalated to 153 in 2021, 820 in 2022, and 454 within the first four months of 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of 634 civilian lives over a span of more than two years.  

“The compiled figure was derived from an extensive pool of 1,300 sources, including 42 local media outlets including mainstream media, the news pages of revolutionary forces, and reliable Facebook pages. Additionally, interviews with [resistance] fighters were conducted to filter the gathered information,” said Moe Htet Nay.  

Among the regions and states targeted by airstrikes, Kayin or Karen State endured the highest frequency of attacks with 322 instances. Sagaing Region followed closely with 295 incidents.  

Kantbalu Township emerged as the most affected township by airstrikes with 188 occurrences. Myawaddy Township claimed the second position with 164 occurrences, and Demoso Township ranked third with 109 incidents. 

“The military has been using aerial attacks to their advantage throughout. They have used frequent airstrikes against revolutionary forces [EAOs] since before 2021. Their rationale behind this approach is to minimize their own casualties, I think. Another thing is that their soldiers can be deployed quickly by air transportation. They think they have an advantage. We can clearly see that the military group is doing more aerial attacks and offensives as the revolutionary forces get stronger,” said Moe Htet Nay.  

The Military Council denies targeting the civilians through airstrikes, while the National Unity Government (NUG) and pro-democracy activists urge the international community not to sell air fuel and weapons to the junta.