Myanmar Monastery Strike Claims 14 Lives

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:46:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A military airstrike on a Myanmar monastery in March killed 14 elderly monks and wounded others, according to local sources.

Fourteen civilians were killed in a dual airstrike on a monastery in Myaung township early Friday, with all victims an elderly group of monks. Opposition fighters and a local rescue worker report the strike came at almost nine a.m., targeting a meditation retreat for Buddhist Lent. The attack, situated about 70km west of Mandalay, left several monks injured and sparked no comment from the military. Myanmar continues to face a protracted civil war since the 2021 coup, with the junta routinely criticised for striking public sites while claiming it only hits legitimate targets.

Fourteen people were killed in a military airstrike on a monastery in Myanmar on Friday, according to opposition fighters and a local rescue worker.

All victims were elderly; several monks were injured. The monastery, located in Myaung township of Sagaing region, was struck twice around 09:00 local time.

Civilians had gathered for a Buddhist Lent meditation retreat. The strike occurred roughly 70km west of Mandalay and the military has not responded.

Rebel Nway Oo Myaung reported 11 men and three women were killed, aged 50-70. A second fighter said rescue workers were in the area when the aircraft bombed again.

Myanmar remains in civil war since the 2021 coup, with the junta often accused of attacking public venues. It claims it targets only legitimate objectives.