Myanmar air strike kills 14 praying at monastery, rebel witnesses say

Fourteen people were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, opposition fighters and a local rescue worker have said. All of those killed were elderly, and a number of monks were also injured, according to a rescue worker who stated the site was struck twice. The attack occurred at approximately 09:00 local time (02:30 GMT) in Myaung township, Sagaing region, about 70km west of Mandalay. Civilians had reportedly gathered at the monastery for a meditation retreat to mark Buddhist Lent. Pro-democracy rebel Nway Oo Myaung told AFP that the victims included 11 men and three women, aged between 50 and 70. A second opposition fighter reported that aircraft bombed the site a second time while rescuers were attempting to save survivors. Myanmar has been in civil war since the 2021 military coup, and the military has previously stated it only targets legitimate sites.