A Myanmar military airstrike on a monastery in the central Sagaing region has killed 14 people who were attending a meditation retreat marking Buddhist Lent, according to local opposition fighters who witnessed the aftermath.
The attack occurred around 9:00 a.m. local time on Friday at a monastery hall in Myaung township, killing 11 men and three women, according to Nway Oo Myaung, a pro-democracy rebel who helped recover the bodies.
He said older residents had gathered at the meditation centre for a three-month retreat during the Buddhist Lent period.
“The people who were killed were between 50 and 70 years old,” Nway Oo Myaung said, alleging that the monastery was deliberately targeted.
Another local opposition fighter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said five of the victims were from his village, while the remaining nine came from neighbouring villages.
He also alleged that the military aircraft returned to the area and carried out another bombing while locals were attempting to rescue survivors.
Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and detaining the former leader.
The United Nations has repeatedly raised concerns over attacks on civilians in the conflict.
UN investigators published a report last week accusing Myanmar’s military of carrying out what they described as “indiscriminate and intentional aerial attacks against civilians.”
The latest reported strike adds to concerns over the escalating humanitarian situation in Myanmar, where civilians continue to face violence and displacement amid the ongoing conflict.
