Fourteen killed in strike on Myanmar monastery

Fourteen individuals were tragically killed in a military air strike targeting a monastery in Myanmar, according to opposition fighters and a local rescue worker. The victims were all elderly, with a number of monks also injured, according to the rescue worker who spoke to BBC Burmese. The strike occurred at approximately 09:00 local time (02:30 GMT) in Myaung township, located in the central Sagaing region, roughly 70km (47 miles) west of Mandalay. Civilians had gathered at the monastery for a meditation retreat to celebrate Buddhist Lent.

Myaung Oo Myaung, a pro-democracy rebel, informed AFP that the casualties comprised 11 men and three women. Five of the victims originated from one village, while the remaining nine were from a neighboring township. Older individuals had entered the meditation centers, with the deceased aged between 50 and 70, Myaung claimed. A second unnamed opposition fighter stated that he had been among those searching for survivors when the aircraft returned to bomb the site a second time.

Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since the military led a coup in 2021 to remove Aung San Suu Kyi from power. The country has been under martial rule since then. The military, which is frequently accused of conducting strikes on public buildings, has previously stated that it only targets legitimate targets.