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Airstrikes on Myanmar monastery kill 14 people, local sources say

Opposition fighters and a rescue worker report elderly civilians died and monks were injured in strikes across the central Sagaing region.

The short version

  • Fourteen elderly civilians were reported killed and several monks injured following two airstrikes on a monastery in Myanmar's Sagaing region.
  • The casualties occurred while worshippers gathered for a Buddhist Lent meditation retreat in Myaung township.
  • Myanmar's ruling military has not issued a comment regarding the reported strike.

Key facts

  • A military airstrike targeted a monastery in Myaung township, Sagaing region, around 09:00 local time on Friday.[BBC News]
  • Fourteen people aged between 50 and 70—11 men and three women—were killed, and several monks were injured.[BBC News]
  • According to an opposition fighter, aircraft conducted a second bombing run while rescuers were searching for survivors.[BBC News]
  • Myanmar's military junta has not publicly commented on the incident.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The military's official response and explanation for the strike remain unstated.[BBC News]

Sources