Myanmar Air Strike on Monastery Kills Over 20 Civilians Say Witnesses

Post by : Priya

  Photo:AP

Myanmar, a country once known for its rich cultural heritage and peaceful Buddhist traditions, has sadly become a symbol of suffering and violence. On Wednesday, July 10, a tragic event added another dark chapter to the country's ongoing conflict. More than 20 civilians were killed when a Myanmar military air strike hit a monastery in the Sagaing region. The victims, mostly women, children, and elderly, had taken shelter inside the monastery, hoping it would protect them from the growing violence.

The Attack: What Happened?

The deadly incident took place in the village of Nyaung Kone in Sagaing Region. According to residents, fighter jets flew over the area on Wednesday afternoon and bombed the monastery complex without any warning. The sound of the explosion echoed across the village, and soon after, smoke and fire covered the area.

A local man, Ko Than Win, who helped in rescue efforts, said:

"I saw children and old women lying lifeless. The place that should have been peaceful turned into a battlefield. I still can't believe what I saw."

Why Was the Monastery Targeted?

The monastery in Nyaung Kone had become a temporary shelter for people who had fled their homes due to earlier military raids. Most of the villagers were not armed or involved in any resistance movement. According to local leaders, these were innocent civilians who believed that a religious place like a monastery would be safe.

However, the Myanmar military has often accused resistance fighters of using civilian buildings, including monasteries, as cover. This claim is regularly rejected by locals, who say the military uses this as an excuse to bomb civilian areas.

In this case, no signs of armed groups were found in or around the monastery. This makes the attack even more disturbing, raising serious questions about the military’s rules of engagement and their respect for international laws.

A Long History of Conflict

To understand the present situation, it's important to go back to February 1, 2021. On this day, Myanmar’s military, known as the Tatmadaw, took control of the country in a coup, removing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. This action sparked widespread protests and led to a national movement against military rule.

Since then, Myanmar has been in chaos. Peaceful protests were met with violence, leading to the rise of armed resistance groups called the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs). These groups, supported by ethnic armed organizations, began to fight back against the military.

The Sagaing region, once a calm area known for its Buddhist monasteries and cultural sites, has now become one of the key battlegrounds in this civil war. Villages are regularly bombed, houses are burned, and civilians are caught in the middle.

The Human Cost

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), more than 4,800 civilians have been killed by the military since the 2021 coup. Thousands more have been injured, arrested, or displaced.

Children have lost parents. Entire families have been wiped out. Religious sites, schools, and hospitals have not been spared. The latest air strike in Nyaung Kone is just one example of how brutal the conflict has become.

One mother who survived the air strike said:

"I saw my son’s body. He was only 9 years old. He used to play around this monastery. He had no idea about war or politics."

Reaction from the World

So far, the Myanmar military has not issued a statement about the air strike on Nyaung Kone. However, international voices have strongly condemned the attack.

The United Nations called the bombing of a civilian shelter a violation of international humanitarian law. Human Rights Watch described the act as a war crime and urged governments to take tougher action against Myanmar's military leaders.

Phil Robertson, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch Asia, tweeted:

"Bombing a monastery filled with women and children is pure evil. The world must not remain silent."

Unfortunately, despite repeated condemnations, little has changed. The military continues to receive weapons from a few foreign countries and shows no signs of backing down.

What Can Be Done?

There are several steps that can be taken to address the situation in Myanmar:

Stronger Sanctions:

Countries should impose stricter economic and military sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and their businesses.

International Justice:

Cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity should be taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Victims deserve justice.

Humanitarian Aid:

More international aid must be sent to help displaced families, especially in hard-to-reach rural areas like Sagaing.

Support for Civil Society:

Groups working on the ground to provide food, medicine, and shelter need more global support.

Pressure on Arms Suppliers:

Countries still supplying weapons to the military must be named and shamed. Arms sales must stop immediately.

The Struggle for Peace and Freedom

The people of Myanmar have suffered long enough. Their dreams of living in a democratic, peaceful country have been crushed by military violence again and again. But their hope and resilience remain strong.

Despite the risk, many young people continue to fight for freedom. Monks, students, farmers, teachers, and even artists are part of this silent revolution. The bombing of the Nyaung Kone monastery may have killed innocent lives, but it has also strengthened the will of many to stand against oppression.