Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Myanmar Airstrike on Sagaing Monastery Kills 14 During Buddhist Lent
A monastery in Myanmar’s Sagaing region was hit by an airstrike during Buddhist Lent.
Fourteen people died, including 11 men and three women.
They had gathered there to meditate and take part in religious activities.
Most of the victims were older adults.
Opposition fighters said the Myanmar military deliberately attacked the monastery.
One fighter also said another strike happened while people were trying to rescue others.
The Myanmar government has rejected broader accusations of attacks on civilians as unreliable.
The incident happened during Myanmar’s ongoing civil war and increased international concern about airstrikes.
A reported Myanmar military airstrike hit a monastery hall in Myaung township, Sagaing region, on Friday morning.
Fourteen people—11 men and three women—were killed while attending a Buddhist Lent meditation retreat.
Most victims were reportedly older people aged between 50 and 70, and had stayed at the centre for about three months.
An opposition fighter alleged the aircraft returned for a second strike as rescuers tried to reach people trapped after the first attack.
The attack came amid UN and conflict-monitoring concerns about Myanmar’s alleged targeting of civilian sites and gatherings.
- Who
- Fourteen meditation-retreat participants were killed; opposition fighters attributed the strike to Myanmar’s military.
- What
- An airstrike hit a monastery hall and killed 14 people.
- When
- At around 9 a.m. on Friday, during the Buddhist Lent period.
- Where
- A monastery in Myaung township in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region.
- Why
- The monastery was being used for a Buddhist Lent meditation retreat; an opposition fighter alleged it was deliberately targeted.
Opposition and International Allegations
Myanmar Government Position
Responsibility for the strike
Opposition and International Allegations
Opposition fighters cited in the report said the Myanmar military carried out the attack and alleged that the monastery was deliberately targeted.
Myanmar Government Position
The article does not provide a specific military response to this monastery strike, but Myanmar’s government rejected broader allegations from the UN investigative mechanism.
Second strike during rescue efforts
Opposition and International Allegations
An opposition fighter alleged that the aircraft returned and conducted another strike while people were trying to rescue those trapped after the first attack.
Myanmar Government Position
No government confirmation or independent verification of the alleged second strike was provided in the articles.
Pattern of attacks on civilian sites
Opposition and International Allegations
The UN investigative mechanism and ACLED reported concerns that the military has increasingly conducted airstrikes against civilians, public buildings and gatherings.
Myanmar Government Position
Myanmar’s government described the UN report as based on one-sided allegations and information it considered unverifiable and inaccurate.
- Deaths
- 14 people: 11 men and three women
- Victims’ ages
- Most were reportedly between 50 and 70 years old
- Location
- Myaung township, Sagaing region, Myanmar
- Religious context
- The monastery hosted a meditation retreat during Buddhist Lent
- Reported timing
- Around 9 a.m. on Friday
- Conflict context
- The attack occurred during Myanmar’s civil war, which began after the February 2021 military coup
- International concern
- The UN’s Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar has accused the military of indiscriminate and intentional aerial attacks against civilians