“In a devastating airstrike on February 26, the military junta forces targeted the historic Phaungtawoo Temple in Maetoe village, Ye-U Township, Sagaing Region, causing significant damage to its pagodas and religious structures. At approximately 11:00 AM, a MiG-29 fighter jet from Meiktila Air Base conducted an unprovoked attack, dropping two 100-pound bombs on the temple complex despite there being no ongoing conflict in the area. The bombing resulted in extensive damage to the pagodas and surrounding brick walls within the temple compound. According to Htoo Khant Zaw (Amay Thar), Information Officer of the People’s Defense Comrade based in Ye-U, the bombs exploded in a water reservoir near the temple, but the blast impact caused widespread destruction throughout the entire temple complex. While there were no civilian casualties reported in this attack, the cultural heritage site and its religious structures suffered complete devastation. Currently, the terrorist military is deliberately targeting gatherings such as Buddhist religious festivals, weddings, and donation ceremonies where people traditionally congregate. As a result, local residents are being warned to avoid such events and ceremonies during the present circumstances. The People’s Defense Comrade has expressed grave concern for the safety and security of civilians’ lives and property, while strongly condemning the military’s brutal actions. In particular, the targeting of religious buildings and monasteries is being characterized as inhumane and barbaric behavior. In this situation, revolutionary forces need to exercise increased caution, and civilians themselves must avoid unnecessary gatherings that could attract military attention. The military has been observed targeting religious and cultural sites under various pretexts. This attack represents not only a direct assault on Myanmar’s cultural heritage but also demonstrates the junta’s willingness to destroy sacred sites that have deep spiritual and historical significance for the local population. The targeting of religious sites and civilian gatherings has become an increasingly common tactic, raising serious concerns about the preservation of Myanmar’s cultural and religious heritage amid the ongoing conflict. The People’s Defense Comrade emphasizes that these attacks on religious sites are particularly deplorable as they violate fundamental principles of warfare and human dignity. The organization continues to document these incidents while working to protect civilian populations from similar attacks in the future. The destruction of Phaungtawoo Temple serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Myanmar’s people in preserving their cultural and religious heritage while resisting military oppression. The incident has further heightened tensions in the region and reinforced the need for increased vigilance among local communities. Local resistance forces and civilian organizations are now calling for increased international attention to these deliberate attacks on religious and cultural sites, viewing them as part of a broader pattern of the military’s attempts to demoralize and terrorize civilian populations. The targeting of such culturally significant sites is seen as particularly egregious given their importance to local communities and their protected status under international humanitarian law.
