The People’s Administration Team of Depayin Township has confirmed that five people, including a Buddhist monk, were killed when the military council conducted an airstrike on Moe Kaung Monastery in Muu Kan Gyi village, Sagaing Region’s Depayin Township. The aerial attack occurred on August 18, 2023, at 1:20 PM, without any ongoing fighting in the area, making it an unprovoked attack.
The airstrike resulted in the deaths of a 70-year-old Buddhist monk, three civilians in their 30s, and one other person, bringing the total death toll to five. The attack completely destroyed three buildings within the monastery compound, including the Dhamma hall, dining hall, and main monastery building. Local sources reported that the injured victims were transported to hospitals for medical treatment. The senior monk passed away while being transported in a vehicle, while the other injured individuals are not in critical condition.
Revolutionary forces control most of Depayin Township, while the military council only maintains a presence in the town proper and has been conducting airstrikes in the area. According to local residents, the monastery may have been targeted based on information from military informants. The commander of the B.I.A (Depayin) LDF Drone Force confirmed that this was a deliberate attack carried out without any military engagement in the area.
