23 Killed in Monastery Attack in Myanmar

At least 23 civilians, including four children, were killed on Friday in an attack on a monastery in the conflict-ridden Sagaing region of Myanmar, according to eyewitness accounts.

The strike targeted a monastery sheltering around 200 displaced civilians in a village within the Sagaing area. The building was reportedly hit by artillery shelling in the early hours of Friday morning.

Hlaing Bwa, a representative of the pro-democracy People's Administration in Sagaing, confirmed the incident and accused the military of deliberately targeting the religious site. The monastery had been providing refuge for people who fled intensified clashes between junta forces and pro-democracy armed groups.

Myanmar has remained in a state of armed conflict since the military coup in February 2021, which overthrew the democratically elected government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup triggered nationwide protests and the formation of civilian militias that have since engaged in fierce resistance against the military regime.

The deadly monastery strike follows a temporary ceasefire declaration issued after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Sagaing region on March 28. The ceasefire was intended to facilitate humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. Pro-democracy groups had also indicated a willingness to pause hostilities for relief operations.

Despite the ceasefire, violence continues to escalate across Myanmar, especially in central and northern regions. Civilian casualties have mounted, drawing international condemnation and increasing pressure on the military leadership to halt its campaign of repression.

The Sagaing region has become one of the key battlegrounds in the country’s widening conflict, with thousands displaced and a growing humanitarian crisis. Rights groups and humanitarian organizations have called for unrestricted access to affected areas and renewed efforts for a negotiated resolution to the crisis.