May 17, 2025.
Last April, intense fighting erupted between Thilawar’s Kyarr Phyu column and the Military council’s Aung Zeya Column near Kawkareik town in Myawaddy, Karen State.
During the battle, the Military council forces relentlessly dropped bombs on Thilawar’s troops. Some bombs exploded upon impact, while others released fumes instead of detonating. The released fumes appeared in shades of yellow and gray. Comrades who inhaled the fumes immediately experienced severe nausea and dizziness.
“As soon as we inhaled the fumes, all of us started feeling intoxicated. The first symptoms were drowsiness and dizziness and a feeling of cold. The most overwhelming sensation was extreme sleepiness. Even in the middle of the battle, our guns slipped from our hands as we struggled to stay awake,” said Battalion Commander \Thilawar of Kyarr Phyu column, Unit 6.
Realizing the nature of the bombs, Kyarr Phyu column quickly took measures to protect themselves from the toxic fumes and provided medical aid to affected comrades.
Due to the ongoing battle and the lack of immediate resources, some comrades resorted to using water from abandoned houses and even toilets to rinse their clothes and cover their faces to mitigate the effects of the fumes.
Then, after calling for reinforcements, the Kyarr Phyu column had to retreat from the battlefield. Around 50 soldiers suffered from exposure to the chemical fumes that day, with approximately five fatalities, Thilawar said. Though the chemical attack itself was not the direct cause of death, those who became immobilized after inhaling the fumes were subsequently killed by artillery shelling.
“The smell was extremely strong. The moment we inhaled it, we immediately vomited and uncontrollably. Then, we became dizzy. Some people lost consciousness almost instantly,” Thilawar recounted.
In that battle, as far as he could remember, around 30 chemical gas bombs were dropped, he said. He was also exposed to the toxic fumes.
“I was among those affected. As soon as I realized it, the first thing I did was grab my water bottle and rinse my face. I always carry a muffler with me, so I soaked it in water and covered my nose with it,” he explained.
The gas bombs (chemical bombs) that Thilawar and his comrades encountered are “chemical weapons”, which are internationally banned. Even the Myanmar government itself had signed agreements stating that it would not use them.
Facing a deteriorating military situation nationwide, the Military council, already under international sanctions, has resorted to using “war crime level chemical weapons” that harm not only resistance fighters but also civilians, animals and the environment.
On December 20, during a press conference titled “The Military council’s use of chemical weapons in Karenni State,” NUG’s Union Minister for Human Rights, U Aung Myo Min said, “The use of chemical substances in warfare constitutes an international crime and a direct violation of global conventions and treaties established by the international community.”
Photo – White Tiger Column
In April 2024, during heavy fighting between the White Tiger Column and the Military Council’s Aung Zeya Column in Kawkareik, near Myawaddy, Karen State, soldiers from the White Tiger Column were killed/injured by chemical bombs used by the Military Council.
What is a chemical bomb?
A chemical bomb is a type of weapon that contains toxic chemicals designed to kill or harm humans and animals or damage the environment, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The OPCW is an international organization responsible for eliminating chemical weapons worldwide, providing training on chemical defense, investigating chemical attacks, collaborating with the UN to inspect suspected chemical attacks, preventing the use of chemical weapons, ensuring legal action against perpetrators, monitoring chemical industries to prevent misuse.
To enforce these objectives, the OPCW was established to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a global agreement aimed at completely eradicating chemical weapons. This CWC treaty was first introduced in 1993 as a worldwide commitment to eliminating chemical weapons. Myanmar was also a member of the CWC.
Myanmar initially signed the treaty on December 13, 1993, and later became an official member of the CWC in 2015.
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) prohibits the production, development, possession, storage, transfer, and use of chemical weapons. There are over 190 member states in the CWC, and these member states are required to declare their stockpiles and production facilities for chemical weapons. The convention also mandates the destruction of these stockpiles. Additionally, any existing chemical weapons must be dismantled, and countries must be subject to international monitoring and inspection systems. However, the Military Council has ignored these prohibitions and continues to use chemical bombs.
The revolutionary forces believe that the Military Council is resorting to chemical weapons because they are losing ground in conventional warfare. When chemical weapons are used, resistance fighters who inhale the toxic gas become immobilized and unable to move or act. The Military Council then takes advantage of their condition, following up with airstrikes and artillery attacks to further suppress them.
“As for us, we have been armed for three years now, but we follow rules and do not commit war crimes. Meanwhile, the Military council, which claims to have been established for over 70 years, repeatedly commits war crimes and continues to brutally oppress the people. This is unacceptable to us,” said Thilawar.
Photo – PNLA
On January 25 this year, the military council and the PNO militia fired poison gas at the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), leaving behind evidence of shell casings.
Are incendiary bombs the precursor to chemical bombs?
Former captain Naung Yoe, who served in the Military Council’s air force for ten years before defecting to the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), has confirmed with certainty that the Military council has been using chemical weapons. He also revealed that he was personally involved in testing such weapons during his time in the military.
Before joining the CDM, he was stationed at the Meiktila Air Force Base, where his duties included arming aircraft with weapons, attaching bombs, and handling maintenance tasks. According to him, as early as 2018, he was directly involved in making incendiary bombs.
At the military facility, they receive explosive shells approximately 12 feet long and 8 feet wide, with a thickness of about 6 inches. These shells are then ground into powder. The resulting explosive powder is mixed with octane fuel inside an iron container.
“The mixing process was intense, it had to be stirred thoroughly, to the point where your hands would go numb. The smell was incredibly strong. If it gets on your hands or anything, it could ignite. After stirring for about half day, it will be ready. The proportion of octane was slightly higher than that of regular fuel. It seemed like it was a bit closer to jet fuel in composition,” Naung Yoe explained.
After mixing the explosive materials, the fuel-infused compound is placed inside 500-pound bomb casings. Once filled, the bombs are sealed and equipped with fuses to make them operational. These bombs are then mounted onto aircraft and dropped over ethnic armed group-controlled areas, according to former Captain Naung Yoe. He further stated that there is no quality control or calculation of damage potential when preparing these bombs. The military’s only goal is to cause as much destruction as possible.
“Their main target is the ethnic revolutionary strongholds. They also have used these extensively since the coup,” said Naung Yoe.
The Military council’s use of destructive bombs has also been confirmed by former Air Force Warrant Officer Nay Win Aung, who served for 23 years before joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
He recounted that during the 2019 conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military in Rakhine State, the Military council used incendiary bombs against AA positions. Due to the dense forests in the region, they resorted to dropping these bombs to clear vegetation and expose enemy positions.
“Because of the thick jungle, they used incendiary bombs. When the trees were too dense, they couldn’t see enemy troops clearly to target them properly. So, as they mentioned, they used bombs that could burn and clear foliage to expose AA fighters,” Nay Win Aung explained.
The Military council has a long history of using highly destructive bombs, but since the 2021 coup, they have escalated their attacks by openly deploying chemical gas bombs as well.
Military Council’s repeated use of chemical bombs
According to data collected by Mandaing News Agency, the Military council has used chemical bombs in approximately ten incidents since the 2021 coup. These attacks have occurred in Karenni, Sagaing, Shan, Karen, Rakhine, and even Mandalay, targeting both resistance forces and civilians.
Earlier this year, chemical bombs were also dropped during clashes between the Military Council and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) in eastern Hsihseng Township, located within the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State, according to PNLA spokesperson Khun Rein Yan.
Khun Rein Yan said, “During that offensive, the Military Council and its allied PNO militia launched an aggressive attack using drones, artillery, and even poison bombs.”
He further confirmed, “We knew they were using poison gas and chemical weapons before, but we never got our hands on any of the unexploded shells. This time, we managed to recover one. The shell was clearly labeled as ‘toxic’ on the casing.”
Identifying the exact chemical agents used has been challenging for the resistance forces.
One PNLA company commander, Khun Kaung Ni, personally experienced exposure to the gas during the battle.
“We inhaled the fumes. It made us vomit continuously. Not just immediately, but for two to three days. It drained our strength. Our nervous system felt weak. I was exposed multiple times, and I had to be taken off the front lines for one to two weeks of recovery,” he said.
Comrades exposed to the gas required two weeks of medical treatment, and it included nerve-strengthening medication, supplements, and fresh air therapy.
Long-term effects included “persistent fatigue and weakened nervous system functions. Even after recovery, soldiers found it difficult to perform at their previous physical capacity, especially during physical training (PT). It feels like the gas permanently damages the nervous system,” Khun Kaung Ni explained.
Just as the Military Council used chemical bombs against the PNLA, it also deployed toxic gas in an attack on the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) in Mobye, southern Shan State, near the Karenni (Kayah) border during the first week of December 2024. Additionally, as part of the attack, the Military council used S-PHOS 560 (Aluminium Phosphide 560), an agricultural pesticide.
According to Khun Htet Soe, the KNDF Battalion 1 Commander and Ground Operations Officer, the Military Council had previously used chemical weapons in Karenni State, causing severe harm. However, at the time, the resistance lacked the capacity to properly document the incidents. He stated that during a press conference on “the Military Council’s use of chemical weapons in Karenni State” on December 20.
This time, KNDF managed to collect concrete evidence, the pesticide containers used in the attack. On the first day of the airstrike, the KNDF was unaware that toxic gas had been deployed. However, as exposed comrades began exhibiting unusual symptoms, suspicions arose. The next day, during a sweep of the battlefield, KNDF forces discovered the chemical containers, confirming the use of toxic substances, Khun Htet Soe explained. At the press conference, soldiers who had inhaled the toxic fumes stated that they experienced nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and extreme fatigue upon exposure.
Photo – White Tiger Column
In April 2024, during heavy fighting between the White Tiger Column and the Military Council’s Aung Zeya Column in Kawkareik, near Myawaddy, Karen State, soldiers from the White Tiger Column were killed/injured by chemical bombs used by the Military Council.
Why is the Military Council using chemical bombs?
More than four years into the armed revolution that began after the 2021 coup, the Military Council has lost control over large parts of the country.
In the “2024 Military Progress Report” released on January 4 by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) under the National Unity Government (NUG), it was stated that People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) now control 44% of the total townships in Myanmar.
The report also mentions that the Military Council no longer holds even one-third of its previous territorial control, with only 107 townships remaining under its governance. As of December 2024, ethnic revolutionary forces and PDFs govern a total of 144 townships, out of which 48 townships (including 95 towns) are fully captured. Battles are still ongoing in the remaining 79 townships.
A December 2024 report by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), which tracks each presidential form of government’s military operations and governance, revolutionary movements, and human rights violations, status of governments, stated that since the military coup, conflicts have occurred in at least 321 out of 330 townships, including central Myanmar and Bamar-majority regions.
Due to significant losses in both personnel and territory, the Military Council introduced the conscription law to replenish its forces, launching a nationwide effort to register, recruit, and even forcibly conscript young people.
Nay Oo, a former captain who defected from the military in March 2021 through the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), stated, with the worsening military situation, the Military Council has increasingly resorted to using chemical bombs, which are internationally prohibited, in an attempt to gain a strategic advantage against revolutionary forces.
“They use these bombs in intense battles when they are struggling to advance or trying to seize control of strategic locations. The primary objective is to cause mass casualties with a single strike,” he said.
Wai Yan Htun, a former soldier from the Military Council who defected to the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), stated that he had seen drones equipped with chemical gas bombs being deployed in the Mobye region, and he also heard discussions about plans to drop these chemical gas bombs. He revealed this information during a press conference, held on December 20, about “the Military Council’s use of chemical weapons in Karenni State”.
He further explained that the chemical gas released by the Military Council not only affected resistance forces but also exposed their own soldiers, causing health issues due to inhalation.
Photo – KNDF
In the first week of December 2024, the military council used S-PHOS 560, a pesticide used in agriculture, in an attack on the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) in Moe Bwe, southern Shan State, which borders Karenni State (Kayah State).
Where does the Military Council get chemical bombs?
The Military Council primarily purchases these chemical bombs rather than producing them domestically, Nay Oo, who defected under the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) explained.
Nay Oo stated that the Military Council primarily imports weapons and ammunition through routes connected to Ukraine, China, and Russia. The Military Council has also maintained a close relationship with North Korea.
“The main sources for weapons and ammunition imports are Ukraine, North Korea, and Russia, especially from former Soviet territories. Most purchases were made from Russia and its allies. North Korea is heavily sanctioned by the world, so there isn’t much direct engagement. However, secret dealings still take place, and military equipment from North Korea still makes their way in,” he said.
He also noted that there is a North Korean restaurant in Yangon, which could serve as a covert channel for communication. This raises suspicions that chemical-related ammunition may be traded through such secret networks. Nay Oo said that they don’t know exactly where the military council produces chemical bombs. However, based on his experience in the military, instead of manufacturing these bombs in a single location, it is more likely that different weapons factories across the country produce separate components, which are later assembled and deployed.
“From what I know, different factories produce separate components. Then, at another location, everything is assembled and installed. So, many people don’t actually know who produces what, who assembles it, or where it is ultimately used,” he said.
Naung Yo also added that the Military Council has not only been developing chemical bombs but has also been testing high-explosive bombs with the assistance of Chinese and Russian experts since before 2021. He personally witnessed storage and testing sites for these bombs.
Naung Yo stated that the key individuals responsible for the use of these chemical bombs include the top leadership of the Military Council, starting with Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, including air force commanders, military officers, pilots, and even lower-ranking soldiers involved in assembling and deploying the bombs.
Photo – PNLA
On January 25 this year, the military council and the PNO militia fired poison gas at the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), leaving behind evidence of shell casings.
The harmful effects of chemical bombs
Chemical bombs not only cause severe harm to humans but also have a devastating impact on the environment. The toxic residues left behind in bombed areas can continue to affect both people and animals long after an attack, Naung Yo explained.
“Once a chemical bomb is used, it doesn’t matter whether it harms enemy troops or one’s own. It completely strips away any sense of humanity. Another issue is that after battles, local civilians often return to those areas. The reason chemical bombs should not be used is precisely because the toxic remnants linger. For example, pregnant women exposed to these areas often experience miscarriages, and the long-term health consequences are severe,” said Naung Yo.
Recently, soldiers affected by chemical bombs have continued to suffer from long-term health complications. In July 2024, during clashes in Naungcho, northern Shan State, between the Military Council and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Military Council used chemical bombs. TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo confirmed that many of their comrades exposed to the toxic gases are still experiencing ongoing health issues.
“After being exposed to the toxic gas, they had to receive medical treatment in the hospital for about a week. After a week, some of them recovered, but some are still suffering from the effects. We have seen cases of breathing difficulties and respiratory distress,” Lway Yay Oo explained.
This is not the first time such chemical attacks have occurred. She stated that the military council had used them before.
“So far, we have experienced this three times. In total, there have been more than six incidents. What we are seeing now is that the military council initially tries to defend their bases. But when they can no longer hold their ground, they frequently resort to chemical gas attacks. That is why, whenever we prepare to seize these bases, we always take measures to protect ourselves against chemical exposure,” she explained.
Similarly, in the Kyarr Phyu column, chemical bomb attacks have even resulted in the loss of revolutionary comrades’ lives.
In the Kyarr Phyu column, medic Light, who was on duty treating patients on the day of the chemical bomb attack, stated that two comrades lost their lives while he was providing medical care. On that day, around 50 comrades were affected by the toxic gas, and among them, approximately 18 were in critical condition, Light said.
“When they inhale the gas, they start having difficulty breathing. Some lose consciousness. Their muscles become stiff. When they pass out, we have to wake them up repeatedly. Those were the symptoms we saw when they were brought to us. The gas primarily affects the nervous system. Some become unresponsive, their eyes rolling back, and eventually, they reach a state where they can no longer be revived. At that point, we have to use forceful measures to try and wake them up,” he recounted from his experience treating the victims that day.
Even for healthy individuals, exposure to the toxic gas requires prolonged medical treatment to recover fully. For those with preexisting health conditions, the effects are even more severe, Light explained.
“Some of our comrades already had stroke issues before, but after exposure to the chemical fumes, their conditions worsened significantly. Someone who usually experiences it once a year might start experiencing it two or three times a year. Their memory also declines. If we tell them three things, they will always forget at least one. These are the kinds of effects we’ve been seeing,” he added.
There was also a shortage of medical personnel and medicine at the frontline, but we did our best to treat the injured, Light said. He added that if the chemical bombs had not been used, their comrades would not have suffered such severe injuries.
“The main thing is, if it had just been other types of explosives without chemical weapons, our comrades wouldn’t have suffered this severely. They could endure it. But because of the chemical agents, we lost more of our comrades and suffered greater injuries,” he explained.
Therefore, he emphasized the need to prepare defense strategies against future chemical attacks and implement protective measures.
Photo – White Tiger Column
In April 2024, during heavy fighting between the White Tiger Column and the Military Council’s Aung Zeya Column in Kawkareik, near Myawaddy, Karen State, soldiers from the White Tiger Column were killed/injured by chemical bombs used by the Military Council.
How to protect against chemical bombs
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has outlined methods to protect against chemical weapon attacks.
The key recommendations are to avoid inhaling chemical particles and prevent skin exposure; take cover from chemical fumes immediately after a chemical bomb attack; wear N95 masks to avoid inhalation, or if unavailable; use a wet cloth to cover the nose and mouth; wear protective goggles to prevent eye exposure; wash contaminated clothing and exposed surfaces with water to remove residual chemicals.
The revolutionary forces have not yet been able to establish concrete plans to fully protect against chemical bomb attacks. There are financial difficulties in purchasing protective equipment. However, they must protect themselves as much as they can, said Commander Thilawar of Kyar Phyu Column, Unit 6.
“We’ve discussed the need to provide gas masks if such attacks occur in battles. Soldiers always carry water bottles, but we also talk about ways to prevent oxygen deprivation. We discussed if a chemical bomb drops nearby, how to protect ourselves from severe exposure,” he explained.
TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo also said, “Right now, we’re doing what we can, such as wearing masks and carrying traditional medicine or other remedies that may help counteract the effects of chemical exposure. Even if we cannot fully prevent the effects, we are preparing necessary protective measures.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister U Aung Myo Min, NUG Ministry of Human Rights, said that the OPCW must take immediate action to investigate and hold accountable the terrorist military that is using chemical weapons.
At present, there are no measures in place to prevent the military council from using chemical bombs, and no one can predict when or where they might deploy them next. Additionally, there is another concern. That is the continued use of chemical gases not only against the revolutionary forces but also against civilians.
On November 22 of last year, the military council conducted an airstrike near Sein Pan Kone village in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, using what is believed to be chemical bombs. Reports from the Pakokku PDF stated that over 80 civilians who inhaled the toxic fumes experienced dizziness and vomiting. Madaya is located just 24 miles away from Mandalay.
Khun Htet Soe, the Strategic Commander (Ground Operations) Unit 1 of the KNDF, also expressed deep concerns that the military council might expand the use of chemical bombs against civilians.
“This is something used on the battlefield. However, later on, we worry that it will be used in a way where there is no distinction between civilians and revolutionaries, villages and regions. The main concern is that the toxic gas is extremely worrisome. It could even be fatal for ordinary children.”
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