Myanmar military strikes monastery, 14 elderly killed

Sun Sep 06 2026 11:27:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Fourteen people, all elderly, were killed in Myanmar military air strikes on a monastery during a meditation retreat.

A Myanmar military air strike hit a monastery in Sagaing region, killing 14 elderly residents aged 50‑70 and injuring monks. The attack occurred early Friday, reportedly hitting twice, while locals gathered for Buddhist Lent retreat. Myanmar’s civil war continues after the 2021 coup, with the military accused of targeting public buildings.

Myanmar military strikes monastery, 14 elderly killed

Fourteen people were killed in a military air strike on a monastery in Myanmar early Friday. Opposition fighters and a local rescue worker reported that the victims were elderly, between 50 and 70 years old.

The strike hit Myaung township in the Sagaing region around 09:00 local time (02:30 GMT), when civilians had gathered for a meditation retreat to mark Buddhist Lent. The monastery was struck twice, according to witnesses.

Nway Oo Myaung, a pro‑democracy rebel, said the 14 casualties included 11 men and 3 women. Five of them were from one village, the rest from a neighboring township. A second opposition fighter described the rescue attempt interrupted by a second drone bombing.

Myanmar has been in civil war since the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. The armed forces, under martial rule, have repeatedly been accused of targeting public places while claiming they only strike legitimate assets.