The skies above Myanmar are growing increasingly treacherous, as the military junta exploits a loophole in international sanctions by deploying paragliding soldiers to bomb villages and towns from unexpected heights. The use of these lightweight, commercially available aircraft has significantly escalated over the past year, with over 100 incidents recorded in just five months of this year alone, according to data from conflict monitor Acled.
This new tactic, which began with isolated incidents in late 2024, has rapidly become a widespread strategy across Myanmar's civil war-torn territories. Paramotor gliders, often used for recreational purposes, have been repurposed by the junta to carry two or three soldiers and bombs weighing up to 16kg, causing devastating destruction as they silently descend on villages, farmland, and homes.
Activists describe the immediate and profound impact of these attacks, with homes, schools, and religious buildings torn apart, and civilians killed or injured as they sleep. The phenomenon of 'double-tap' attacks, where gliders return to drop more bombs on rescue teams and those aiding victims of initial blasts, has been documented, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The shift in military strategy comes five years after the junta seized power, crushing democratic reforms and igniting a nationwide conflict against pro-democracy resistance groups and ethnic armed organisations. With resistance forces gaining ground, the military is turning to these improvised aircraft to strike areas beyond the reach of its ground troops, exploiting their ability to operate with minimal infrastructure, low fuel consumption, and low costs.
The UK Government's warnings against travel to Myanmar are well-founded, given the ongoing conflict and instability. The UK has also been a vocal critic of the military's actions, imposing sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the junta. However, the widespread use of these improvised bombing methods highlights the challenges in enforcing international arms embargoes and the military's determination to circumvent them, with severe implications for the civilian population.
The FCDO has advised British nationals against all travel to Myanmar due to the risk of violence and instability, while also urging citizens to exercise caution when engaging with any Myanmar-based entities. The situation in Myanmar remains a pressing concern for the UK, given its humanitarian and diplomatic implications.