Poppy McPherson and Wa Loone

(Reuters] – Myanmar’s military leader, four local media sources and four other sources said that he has replaced the senior figure in a junta who has conducted bombing raids to eliminate resistance.

Reuters received information from sources saying that Maung Maung Khaw, a 57-year old general of elite military heritage, was ousted from the position he held since 2018.

Sources said that he was replaced by Htun Aung who, according to two of them, had been the chief of staff of the air force.

There was not a public announcement of Maung Maung Khaw being removed, and Reuters couldn’t establish the reason Min Aung Hlaing was removing him.

Zaw Min Tu, a military spokesperson did not answer a request to comment whether Maung Maung Khaw was removed. Eleven Media reported that the local news outlet Eleven Media had quoted the spokesperson as saying Maung Maung Gyaw had left after four years of service.

Reuters couldn’t contact Maung Maung Khaw, but requests through the military for comments were not answered.

After the February 1st coup in which an elected Government was overthrown and the subsequent demonstrations, the air force has been utilized to carry troops across Myanmar to quash opposition.

Witnesses claim that the air force was also used to bomb civilians. This allegation has been denied by the junta. The junta says that it doesn’t target civilians but only terrorists.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted leader and all her allies have been jailed.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group, says more than 1,400 people have been killed in violence since the coup, including those killed in bombing raids. According to the junta, there are more casualties than reported.

Maung Maung Kyaw was the subject of a Reuters investigation https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/myanmar-generals-families last year that revealed his family members, including his son and nephew, were part of a young generation of military families with business interests including supplying the armed forces.

Photos and postings on social media – showing parties at expensive venues in Singapore and trips to Bangkok, London and Santorini – showed his family members enjoying a lifestyle far out of reach for the vast majority of Burmese.

Maung Maung Kyaw, who has had sanctions https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-usa-sanctions-idUSKBN2AN01D imposed on him by the United States over his role in the coup, did not respond to questions Reuters sent to the military before publication of its investigation.

In recent weeks, aerial bombardment of the town of Loikaw https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-rights-envoy-urges-halt-attacks-myanmar-town-residents-trapped-2022-01-10 in eastern Kayah state, bordering Thailand, where ethnic armed groups have joined forces with newly formed anti-coup armed organizations, has forced thousands of people to flee.

The opposition to the junta claims that Myanmar’s military suffered heavy casualties during fighting. According to reports, it suffered significant losses.