Myanmar military bombing kills 14 at Buddhist monastery, opposition reports

A military air strike in central Myanmar killed 14 people at a Buddhist monastery in Swel Le Oh village, located in Myaung township approximately 75 kilometers west of Mandalay, according to reports from an opposition group and a local resident. The attack occurred during a week-long religious retreat attended by over 100 individuals, including monks and laypeople, for Buddhist Lent. The strike reportedly involved two bombs dropped 15 minutes apart, striking the monastery compound and leaving 20 others injured. One local villager confirmed the death toll of 14, noting that his mother-in-law was among the victims. The incident took place in Myaung township, part of the Sagaing region, known for its active resistance against the military government. According to Nway Oo, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense and Security Organization of Myaung Township (CDSOM), the attack was carried out by a fighter jet. The military has not yet commented on the strike, though it has previously stated that it only targets legitimate objectives. Local media and the BBC’s Burmese Service reported varying figures, with the death toll ranging between 10 and 14. Since the military seized power in February 2021, Myanmar has been engulfed in a near-countrywide conflict. Following the suppression of pro-democracy protests, numerous opponents of military rule have taken up arms, forming a coalition of ethnically and politically diverse armed groups. These groups have controlled roughly 42 percent of the territory, while the military government holds authority over about 21 percent. The conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives and displaced nearly 5.2 million people, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Aung San Suu Kyi, the former de facto leader of Myanmar and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been under detention since the military takeover in 2021. In April, she was transferred to house arrest. The United Nations-established Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) noted in August that there had been a marked increase in aerial attacks before the December and January elections, with these attacks continuing after the polls. Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the IIMM findings, asserting that the organization focuses solely on "terrorists" and that security forces take all necessary precautions to minimize harm to civilians. This stance contrasts sharply with the reports from local residents and opposition groups, who describe ongoing violence and civilian casualties attributed to military actions. The attack on the monastery underscores the escalating intensity of the conflict in regions like Sagaing, where resistance forces maintain a strong presence. The area has witnessed frequent clashes and targeted strikes, raising concerns about the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire. As the conflict persists, international observers continue to monitor the situation, seeking clarity on the military’s conduct and the broader implications for regional stability. Local communities remain deeply affected by the ongoing violence, with many reporting increased fear and displacement due to repeated attacks. Efforts to document and verify incidents such as this one are critical for understanding the true scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar. The absence of official acknowledgment from the military adds to the challenges faced by those attempting to hold the regime accountable for alleged violations of international law.