An airstrike on a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar claimed the lives of 14 people
In central Myanmar, 14 people were killed and another 20 were injured as a result of an airstrike on a Buddhist monastery, according to a spokesperson for a local opposition group and a resident of the area, as reported by Al Jazeera English.
According to Nwe U, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense and Security Organization of Myaung Township, a fighter jet struck the monastery complex in the village of Swel Le O. The village is located approximately 75 kilometers west of Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. According to him, three women were among the dead.
A local resident, who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press about the incident, said the plane dropped two bombs on the village 15 minutes apart. He confirmed the death toll of 14 and said his mother-in-law was among the victims.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
At the time of the attack, more than 100 people were in and around the monastery. They had gathered for a week-long retreat to mark the Buddhist fasting period. The BBC’s Burmese Service and local media reported between 10 and 14 fatalities.
The Myanmar military did not immediately comment on the strike. They had previously stated that they only target legitimate targets. Myawon Township in the Sikkain region is one of the hotbeds of armed resistance against the military regime.
A near-nationwide civil war has been raging in Myanmar since the army seized power in February 2021. According to estimates by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the war has claimed more than 100,000 lives, and 5.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes. In August, the UN’s Independent Investigation Mechanism on Myanmar reported a marked increase in airstrikes ahead of the elections held in December and January, as well as their continuation after the vote.
