Fourteen killed in strike on Myanmar monastery

Fourteen individuals were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, according to opposition fighters and a local rescue worker. All of the victims were elderly, and several monks sustained injuries, the rescue worker informed BBC Burmese. The attack occurred around 09:00 local time (02:30 GMT) in Myaung township, located in the central Sagaing region, approximately 70km (47 miles) west of Mandalay.

The victims were primarily elderly, ranging in age from 50 to 70. Civilians had gathered at the site for a meditation retreat to observe Buddhist Lent. Myanmar's military has not issued any comment on the incident.

Nway Oo Myaung, a pro-democracy rebel, stated that the deceased included 11 men and three women. Five of the victims hailed from one village, while the remaining nine were from a neighboring township. Myaung added that the victims were predominantly elderly. Another opposition fighter, who remained unnamed, revealed that he was among those searching for survivors when the aircraft struck the monastery for the second time.

The military has been embroiled in a civil war since a coup in 2021, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and placed the country under martial rule. The military has frequently been accused of striking public buildings, but has claimed it only targets legitimate targets.