16 May 2025
Under the command of Min Aung Hlaing, the terrorist military council’s air force carried out a brutal aerial bombing on a school in Oe Htein Twin Village, Tabayin Township, Sagaing Region at approximately 9:36 AM on May 12, 2025. The attack killed 20 students and 2 female teachers on the spot, while over 100 others sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment. Following the incident, one male student died on May 13 and another female student died on May 14, bringing the total death toll to 24. The National Unity Government (NUG) expresses deep condolences for the loss of these young students, teachers, and the suffering of their families.
The school in Oe Htein Twin Village is a high school operating under the administration of the Ministry of Education of the National Unity Government, managed by the township education board. Schools established by the NUG have not been able to operate under normal schedules due to frequent military attacks. Teachings adapt to the situation, and at the time of the attack, the school was holding supplementary classes to help displaced students catch up.
On May 13, the terrorist military also bombed Htun Ywae (Old) village in Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State, killing 13 civilians, including mothers and children, and injuring over 20 others. In addition, on May 12 and 13, aerial bombings occurred in several areas, including Myinmu in Sagaing Region; Mantong, Mong Ngaw, and Naungcho in Shan State; Mogok in Mandalay Region; two villages in Wetlet and Shwebo, Sagaing Region; and Shwegyin in Bago Region. Many civilians lost their lives as a result.
According to data compiled by the NUG Ministry of Human Rights, between January 1, 2023, and May 12, 2025, the terrorist military carried out 2,679 aerial attacks across 13 states and regions (excluding Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw), killing a total of 3,043 civilians. Among the dead were 441 children under the age of 18. These attacks also destroyed 240 schools, 96 hospitals and clinics, and 435 religious buildings.
Despite publicly announcing ceasefire agreements, the terrorist military continues to carry out daily airstrikes, heavy artillery attacks, and mass killings. They simultaneously deny these war crimes through state-controlled media outlets like MRTV and MWD, which spread misinformation. Moreover, the military council funds multiple lobbying groups to distribute false or manipulated content and conceal the truth. Amidst this information warfare, the NUG expresses profound gratitude to independent medias, courageous journalists and citizen journalists who work tirelessly to ensure the public receives accurate news.
The National Unity Government pledges to use all available means to halt these airstrikes and minimize civilian casualties and destruction. We will also work relentlessly to ensure justice is served. Those responsible for these war crimes—including top military commanders, those issuing orders, pilots, perpetrators, supporters, enablers, and military lobbyists—must be held accountable. This includes pursuing legal action not only through international and national courts but also under domestic law to ensure justice prevails.
We call on the United Nations and the international community to recognize the military’s war crimes and propaganda tactics and to take concrete actions to pressure them into halting these atrocities.
National Unity Government