NewzVille International
At least 23 people were killed in a deadly attack on a monastery in the village of Lintalu in Myanmar’s conflict-hit Sagaing region early Friday morning.
The monastery, which was sheltering around 200 civilians displaced by ongoing clashes between the military and pro-democracy forces, was struck despite a declared ceasefire.
Myanmar has remained in turmoil since the 2021 military coup, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The resulting unrest has led to widespread violence across the country, with Sagaing emerging as a major hotspot for resistance and military operations.
Just days earlier, the government had announced a temporary ceasefire following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on March 28, promising space for humanitarian relief.
However, local sources and rights groups report that military airstrikes and artillery attacks have continued in rebel-held territories, raising fresh concerns over civilian safety and the credibility of the ceasefire.
The attack on the monastery has drawn condemnation from international observers, as reports suggest many of the victims were non-combatants seeking refuge.