Myanmar Air Force strikes Buddhist monasteries in Sagaing, killing civilians and damaging heritage sites

What happened

The local news outlet Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reports that Myanmar Air Force airstrikes struck Buddhist monasteries across Sagaing Region’s Shwebo, Chaung-U, and Monywa townships between October 7 and 11. These attacks resulted in at least two civilian deaths and nine injuries, with several religious sites destroyed or severely damaged. The affected areas include zones partially controlled by the National Unity Government (NUG).

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. A local monk in Chaung-U confirmed the complete destruction of his monastery in an October 8 airstrike but reported no casualties in that instance. He underscored the particular disruption these attacks cause during Buddhist Lent, a period of intensive monastic retreat when monks traditionally remain within monasteries. In response to repeated strikes, many monasteries in NUG-administered areas have constructed underground bomb shelters to protect resident clergy and meditation practitioners.

The deadliest incident occurred on October 11 at the historic Mahasi Buddhist monastery compound in Seikkhun village, Shwebo Township, where three rounds of airstrikes reportedly killed two civilians and injured eight others during a meditation retreat. The monastery also serves as shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing ground fighting in neighboring villages. The People’s Defence Force (PDF) attributes the monastery’s significance to its historical importance as well as its humanitarian role since 2021.

Known from the source

• Myanmar Air Force conducted airstrikes on Buddhist monasteries in Sagaing Region's Shwebo, Chaung-U, and Monywa townships from October 7-11.
• At least two civilians were killed and nine others injured during these airstrikes.
• A monastery in Chaung-U was destroyed on October 8 with no reported casualties.
• The Mahasi Buddhist monastery in Seikkhun village, Shwebo Township, was hit on October 11, resulting in two civilian deaths and eight injuries.
• The Mahasi monastery also serves as shelter for internally displaced persons since 2021.

What remains unclear

Additional attacks include an October 7 paramotor strike wounding a young novice at a monastery in Monywa’s Pyankya village. These actions follow an August 21 airstrike on another monastery in Myaung Township’s Swel Le Oh village, which reportedly killed 15 people. DVB data indicates regime forces have conducted at least 510 massacres—attacks with five or more fatalities—killing over 5,300 civilians since the military coup began in March 2021, though casualty and responsibility figures require ongoing verification.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the exact number of casualties from the October strikes, particularly the two civilians killed and nine injured mentioned by DVB. Independent confirmation of Myanmar Air Force’s responsibility for the airstrikes on monasteries. Verification of the reported paramotor strike on October 7 injuring a young novice.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.