Fourteen people were killed on Friday morning during military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region. Opposition fighters and a local rescue worker reported that the site, located in Myaung township approximately 70km west of Mandalay, was struck twice while civilians were gathered for a meditation retreat. The victims were described as elderly residents attending the event to mark Buddhist Lent.
Myanmar has been in a state of civil war since a 2021 military coup removed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The country has remained under martial rule since that time. While the military has frequently been accused of striking public buildings during the conflict, the government has previously stated it only targets legitimate military objectives. The military has not yet commented on Friday's specific event.
According to a rescue worker who spoke to BBC Burmese, the dead included 11 men and three women, all reported to be between 50 and 70 years old. Five of the victims were from a local village, while nine others were from a neighboring township. An unnamed opposition fighter reported that aircraft returned to bomb the site a second time while rescue efforts were underway. Several monks were also reported injured in the attack.
The use of air strikes on a monastery sets a precedent for the continued targeting of public and religious infrastructure during the civil war. Such actions have immediate knock-on effects on the mobility and safety of civilians, who may become hesitant to gather for traditional religious or social functions. This environment of risk directly alters the day-to-day lives of residents, who must navigate the threat of aerial bombardment during routine activities. The incident also complicates the operating environment for rescue workers and local aid groups, who reported being targeted while attempting to assist survivors.
What happens next is currently focused on the recovery of remains and the treatment of the injured monks. No specific timeline for a government investigation or official response has been provided by Myanmar’s military authorities. Future developments may include statements from international monitoring groups or further reports from local pro-democracy organizations regarding the condition of the survivors. The status of martial rule remains unchanged, and the conflict between military forces and opposition fighters continues throughout the central regions.