BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar's military has increasingly used low-cost aircraft such as motorized paragliders and gyrocopters in escalating aerial attacks that kill civilians in its conflict with armed, anti-government groups, a U.N. investigation said in a report Tuesday.
Separately, a major ethnic armed group fighting the government in Rakhine state said 20 civilians had been killed in strikes by the military so far this month.
Myanmar’s military government did not immediately respond to either the U.N. probe or the allegations by the Arakan Army. In the past, the military has said it only attacks legitimate targets of war, accusing the resistance forces of being terrorists.
The report by the United Nations-established Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, or IIMM, details a yearlong investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Myanmar’s military and affiliated militias, as well as the opposition armed groups.
It found that abuses escalated around the country’s army-organized elections in December and January. The IIMM said it observed a notable escalation in aerial attacks in the months preceding the elections and that they have continued unabated afterward, with investigators also documenting a pattern of deliberate arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence.
The IIMM said civilian casualties are worsened by the military’s increasing use of “double-tap” aerial attacks, in which a second strike follows the first, apparently targeting first responders, people helping the wounded and those trying to flee.
The IIMM said the Myanmar military was increasingly using motorized paragliders — also known as paramotors — as well as gyrocopters and drones to carry out low-altitude airstrikes with unguided explosives.
In several recent incidents in the upper Sagaing region, paramotor pilots allegedly cut their engines as they approached targets, allowing them to glide silently and leaving civilians little or no warning to flee or seek shelter, the report said.
The IIMM’s report came as the Arakan Army, a powerful ethnic armed group fighting the army in Rakhine, said that about 20 civilians were killed and 22 injured in airstrikes across three townships from Aug. 1-11, including one attack involving up to eight aircraft that lasted about an hour.
The military-backed government has not publicly commented on the alleged attacks.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the civil war, more than 8,000 civilians have been killed and more than 31,000 arrested by Myanmar’s security forces since 2021.
The IIMM, which was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2018 to monitor violations of international law in Myanmar, said it gathered evidence from more than 1,600 sources and witnesses that can be used in future prosecutions of those responsible.
“Behind every piece of evidence we collect are people whose lives have been devastated by these crimes,” group leader Nicholas Koumjian said in the report. “Communities across Myanmar are not only living under the constant threat of violence but are also coping with the profound and lasting impact of what they have endured.”
The IIMM said it is also investigating serious crimes allegedly committed by armed groups opposed to the military, including members of the Arakan Army, who have been accused of rape and other sexual violence against Rohingya Muslim women, summary executions, child recruitment and the destruction of mosques in Rakhine.
The report said numerous people were also arrested under an electoral law that carries up to 20 years in prison or the death penalty for acts such as criticizing the elections online or distributing “anti-election” leaflets.
The election was dismissed by the critics as a sham designed to consolidate the military’s grip on power after its 2021 takeover that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering the civil war.
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrives to deliver a speech at Union Parliament in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — An ugly win left the Green Bay Packers dissatisfied.
Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes and the Packers overcame two fourth-quarter turnovers to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14 on Sunday.
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels threw two picks that led to 10 points in his first career start filling in for Baker Mayfield, who missed a game for the first time in his three-plus seasons in Tampa Bay because of a dislocated thumb.
The Packers (2-2) wasted two opportunities to extend a three-point lead in the fourth quarter but the Buccaneers couldn't capitalize.
“There were some positive things but we’re never going to be satisfied with scoring 17 points in a game,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s just not to our standard and we have to find ways when we’re in the red area to convert. We can’t be turning the ball over. We can’t have penalties. That is a stingy defense. You have to give them a lot of credit. … But we also have to clean up a lot of stuff. It’s gotta get fixed and it’s gotta get fixed now.”
Tykee Smith forced Kaleb Johnson to fumble inside the 5 with just over nine minutes left in the game. A’Shawn Robinson recovered at the 4 but the ensuing drive went nowhere.
“A great teacher is the bench. If guys don’t start holding onto the ball, they’re gonna be sitting on the bench,” LaFleur said bluntly.
The Packers then had a first-and-15 at the Buccaneers 26 when Jacob Parrish picked Love's pass and gave Tampa Bay the ball at the 15 and a chance for a comeback win.
Instead, Daniels threw a short screen pass to Emeka Egbuka on third-and-16 and incomplete on fourth down from the Packers 47. Coach Todd Bowles passed up a 65-yard field-goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin, who made one from that distance last year.
Bowles said a little wind factored into the decision not to try it.
The Buccaneers are 0-4 for the first time since 2014. Only the 1992 Chargers overcame an 0-4 start to make the playoffs.
“I’m the head coach. I can do more. I can always do more. I’ll always take the blame," Bowles said. "We’re gonna fight, we’re gonna stick together and we’re gonna figure this thing out. And I’ll lead them to that. It’s my job.”
Love tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on fourth down to give the Packers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. Evan Williams made a sliding interception near the sideline to give Green Bay the ball at the 32. Love connected with Tucker Kraft for 10 yards on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive going. Kraft also took a direct snap and sneaked for a first down on another fourth-and-1 at the Buccaneers 10.
The Packers turned an interception by Edgerrin Cooper in the final minute of the first half into a field goal. Cooper stepped in front of Daniels' pass to Kameron Johnson, caught the ball falling to the ground, got up and returned it 18 yards to the Buccaneers 44. Trey Smack kicked a 58-yarder to give Green Bay a 10-7 lead.
Love's 2-yard TD pass to Kraft on the opening drive of the third quarter extended the lead to 17-7.
“We’ll take the win for sure. It was sloppy on those last drives,” Love said. “We have a chance to put the game out of reach. Two turnovers is unacceptable. That’s something we have to clean up. … That was the disappointing part of the game.”
Sean Tucker ran in from the 2 to tie it at 7. Daniels completed both of his passes for 27 yards combined on the drive and scrambled 9 yards before Tucker's score.
Daniels connected with Kenneth Gainwell on a 10-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 17-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Cooper was carted off the field in the third quarter with an Achilles tendon injury. The Packers are still missing three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is recovering from surgery for a torn ACL suffered last December.
Love got his best protection this season despite playing played behind an offensive line missing three starters: Zach Bako-Bewele, Aaron Banks and Jacob Monk. Laken Tomlinson became the fourth player to start at left guard. Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler signed earlier in the week was inactive.
After taking 31 QB hits in the first three games, Love took two.
“The O-line did a great job,” Love said. “Pass protection, run game, just keeping me clean and giving me time. They did a great job and you can feel the difference back there for sure.”
Packers: CB Brandon Cisse hurt his neck and was being evaluated for concussion. ... LB Isaiah McDuffie replaced Cooper and briefly left with an eye injury. ... RB Chris Brooks and DT Devonte Wyatt both left in the first half with ankle injuries. ... Banks (toe, knee) and Monk (quadriceps) will return while Bako-Bewele (knee) is out for the season.
Buccaneers: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (groin), CB Benjamin Morrison (quadriceps), TE Ko Kieft (elbow) were inactive. ... S Antoine Winfield Jr. hurt his abdomen and a rib late in the fourth quarter. ... LB SirVocea Dennis injured his ankle.
Packers: Host Chicago next Sunday.
Buccaneers: Visit Dallas on Thursday night.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson (26) avoids a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) is tackles by Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) and safety Javon Bullard (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) dives to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) aims a pass during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
