Eleven people, including monks, have been killed in Myanmar as junta airstrikes hit Buddhist monasteries during the Burmese New Year. The latest deadly attack in Kayin State left six civilians dead and many wounded, highlighting escalating violence despite a supposed ceasefire.
BY PC BUREAU
Myanmar’s junta forces have launched a series of airstrikes targeting Buddhist monasteries amidst Burmese New Year celebrations, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals who were participating in traditional merit-making activities at these religious sites.
The most recent and deadliest incident occurred on Tuesday at the Kanni village monastery in Kawkareik Township, Kayin (Karen) State. According to local residents who spoke to RFA Burmese, six civilians were killed, and at least 25 others sustained injuries, including 10 monks.
A resident, who, like other sources in this report, requested anonymity for safety, reported that the injured individuals were receiving medical treatment at Mawlamyine General Hospital in neighboring Mon State. This resident also indicated that the number of casualties could have been higher if the bombing had occurred earlier in the day when the monastery grounds were more crowded. They further stated that fighting had been ongoing in the vicinity between junta forces and the Karen National Liberation Army, the controlling entity of Kanni village, since Monday evening.
#Mandalay Region, The Junta Military’s Air Force attack with bombs onto the YayLel Monastery in Natogyi Town and 3 were seriously injured including a novice and a Monk.
Read more->https://t.co/uP8GGTURUW#2025Apr15Coup#WarCrimesOfJunta#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/YfBbT68Owz
— Nwe (@scarlletnn) April 15, 2025
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RFA’s reporting reveals that a total of 11 deaths and 51 injuries resulted from airstrikes conducted between Saturday, the eve of Thingyan (the Burmese New Year), and Tuesday. These attacks affected the Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Karen State, and Rakhine State.
These attacks transpired despite a declared ceasefire between anti-junta and junta forces following a devastating earthquake in central Myanmar on March 28, which claimed over 3,700 lives. Rebel forces reportedly exploited this pause to expand their territorial control, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the military that frequently caused significant civilian casualties. Notably, Buddhist monasteries often serve dual purposes as places of worship and shelters for displaced individuals.
On Monday, in the Kani township of Sagaing region, a junta aerial attack around 8 a.m. struck a monastery where people were expected to gather for the holiday, according to a local resident. “Of the novice monks in Tha Min Chan village, two died and two were critically injured,” the resident stated. “Because the bomb fell a bit early, it was only the monks in the monastery – those who came to make merit and perform duties for the monks had not arrived yet.” Additionally, a woman in a nearby village suffered critical injuries in the same bombing.
In a separate incident, residents reported that Indaw township, which had been partially captured by the shadow National Unity Government’s militia, faced further attacks around 11 a.m. on Monday, resulting in injuries to two people.
Apr 14, 6 pm, #Military‘s jet fighter dropped 2 b0mbs on the #YeLal Monastery in #Kyundaunt Vill, #Natogyi Twsp, #Mandalay Rgn, seriously injuring 3 ppl, including a 7 y/o novice (in the buddhist order) & a monk, & destroying the monastery.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#2025Apr15Coup pic.twitter.com/vSz1YXWfeo
— Htet Htet (@HtetHtet394838) April 16, 2025
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On Sunday, junta attacks also targeted monasteries in three townships within the Sagaing region – Taze, Wuntho, and Kawlin – killing one woman and injuring seven others, including a monk, according to local residents.
In Rakhine state’s Kyauktaw township, a separate attack injured three civilians: 10-year-old Chit Hnin Wai, 27-year-old Kyi Kyi Win, and 34-year-old Oo Than May, residents added.
In the Natogyi township of Mandalay region, airstrikes on Monday targeting another monastery injured three more monks, including a child, local sources informed RFA.
In Thabeikkyin township, attacks on Sunday resulted in the deaths of a man and a woman and injured eight others, according to a member of the Pyinoolwin People’s Defense Force, a rebel group. This individual reported that “Around 10:21 p.m., they dropped four bombs on Chaung Gyi village that were around 200 or 300 pounds each.”
RFA’s attempts to reach Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Htun, the spokesperson for the military council, for comment on the airstrikes were unsuccessful as he did not answer his phone.
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