INTERNATIONAL: Myanmar's senior military leade, General Min Aung Hlaing has removed the head of the air force, local media and four sources close to the armed forces have announced, replacing one of the most senior figures in a junta that has carried out bombing raids to try to crush resistance.

The 57-year-old Maung Maung Kyaw, a general from an elite military background, had been ousted from the post he had held since 2018. Two of the sources said he was replaced on Monday by Htun Aung, who had been the air force's chief of staff.

There was no public announcement that Maung Maung Kyaw had been removed.

Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun did not respond to a request for comment on whether Maung Maung Kyaw had been removed. The spokesman was quoted by local news outlet Eleven Media as saying Maung Maung Kyaw had ended his service after a four-year term.

Since the coup on February 1, 2020 l in which an elected government was overthrown, and during the protests that followed the coup, the air force has been used to ferry troops around Myanmar to quell opposition.

Witnesses say the air force has also been used for bombing raids that have killed civilians. The junta has not commented on the allegations. It says it does not target civilians, only "terrorists".

The junta, which has jailed ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and most of her allies, calls the opposition forces loyal to her deposed government "terrorists".

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a human rights group, has claimed more than 1,400 people have been killed in violence since the coup, including those killed in bombing raids. The junta disputes the reported number of casualties.

In recent weeks, aerial bombardment of the town of Loikaw 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.

Opponents of the junta say Myanmar's military has sustained heavy losses during the fighting. The junta has not commented on the reports that it has suffered heavy losses.