Junta Bombing Kills 14 Civilians at Meditation Retreat in Central Myanmar

 In the early morning of August 21, the Myanmar military carried out an airstrike on the Zaytawaddy Monastery in Swel Lei O Village, Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, located in central Myanmar. 

Local sources report that the attack killed 14 civilians—11 male and 3 female practitioners attending a meditation retreat.

Ko Nway Oo (Myaung) from the Myaung Township Public Defense and Security Organization (CDSOM) stated:

"The bombing was so despicable that the military can no longer even be called human. Right after the morning meditation instruction session, a bomb dropped directly onto the male retreat hall, killing 11 men and 3 women who were meditating, making a total of 14 dead."

He added in a social media post:

"There are many injuries, and they are severe. Fortunately, the monks had just left after the meditation session and were unharmed. During this Buddhist Lent period, people in our Anyar (Upper Myanmar) region observe precepts, join meditation retreats, and perform good deeds. Exploiting this time to launch an airstrike on a meditation retreat shows that under the military dictatorship, people no longer feel safe doing anything—even religious or social gatherings."

Additionally, on the night of August 19, the military launched an air attack on Hlay Tin Oo Village in southwest Myaung Township, killing two people and injuring 16 others.

According to a statement released today by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a total of 8,300 civilians have been killed by the military junta and its affiliates since the illegal military coup began on February 1, 2021, up to August 21, 2026.

- BAGAN NEWS