Friday, August 21, 2026 - At least 14 people were killed and 20 others injured after an airstrike hit a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region on Friday, according to an opposition-linked group and a local resident.
The attack struck a monastery in Swel Le Oh village, Myaung Township, where more than 100 people had gathered for a weeklong meditation retreat during Buddhist Lent.
The Civil Defense and Security Organization of Myaung Township said a fighter jet dropped a bomb inside the monastery compound, killing 14 people, including three women.
A resident also confirmed the reported death toll and said a second bomb struck about 15 minutes later, damaging a nearby house. Myanmar’s military had not immediately commented on the reported attack or casualties.
The strike comes amid an intensifying pattern of aerial attacks in Myanmar, particularly in areas where resistance forces are active. A recent UN investigative mechanism reported a notable escalation in military airstrikes, raising fresh concerns over civilian safety.
With religious gatherings now among those caught in the conflict, pressure is mounting for greater protection of civilians and urgent international attention.
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