Myanmar airstrike on monastery kills 14

A Myanmar military airstrike on a monastery resulted in the death of 14 people, including 11 men and three women, according to two rebel fighters who witnessed the aftermath. The attack occurred on Friday at around 9:00 am (0230 GMT) in Myaung township of central Sagaing region. The monastery hall was targeted, killing 11 men and three women, stated Nway Oo Myaung, a pro-democracy rebel who assisted in clearing the bodies.

Since Buddhist Lent was being observed, older individuals had been attending the meditation center for three months, according to Myaung. The victims' ages ranged from 50 to 70 years old, he added. The attack was not a mistaken target, as the military intentionally targeted the monastery, according to Myaung. A second local opposition fighter, speaking anonymously, reported that five of the deceased were from their village, while the remaining nine were from other villages.

The fighter stated that while they were attempting to rescue people, the aircraft returned to bomb a second time. The Myanmar military's actions have raised concerns, as it seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. UN investigators recently published a report accusing the military of conducting indiscriminate and intentional aerial attacks against civilians.