More than 20 civilians, including three children, were killed in a deadly air strike on a monastery in central Myanmar’s Sagaing region, according to reports from an anti-junta fighter and a local resident. The strike occurred around 1:00 am on Friday in Lin Ta Lu village, where internally displaced people had sought refuge in the monastery.
The Buddhist monastery, long considered a safe haven for civilians fleeing violence, was completely destroyed in the attack. The anti-junta fighter, who spoke to AFP under the condition of anonymity, reported that 22 people were killed and two others critically injured. “They had thought it was safe to stay at a Buddhist monastery,” he said. “But they were bombed anyway.”
A local resident, also requesting anonymity, confirmed the destruction and said he witnessed the aftermath as bodies were loaded into a vehicle and transported to a cemetery. “Many of the bodies had head wounds or were torn apart. It was sad to see,” he added.
Myanmar has been engulfed in civil conflict since the military coup in 2021 that overthrew the elected government. The Sagaing region has become a major battleground, with regular clashes between the junta forces and armed resistance groups. The military has increasingly relied on aerial bombardments to suppress opposition, often striking civilian areas.
In March, the Sagaing region was also struck by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which killed nearly 3,800 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Although there was a reported truce between the military junta and resistance groups following the quake, hostilities have continued, with air strikes resuming in recent months.
This recent attack comes just two months after a similar tragedy in the village of Oe Htein Kwin in the same region, where an air strike on a school killed 20 students and two teachers.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun has yet to respond to requests for comment. Human rights groups and conflict monitors continue to raise alarm over the junta’s escalating use of force against civilians, urging international intervention to prevent further atrocities.