Junta Jet Bombs Monastery During Buddhist Lent Retreat in Myaung Township, Killing at Least 14

At approximately 9:30am on August 21, 2026, a junta fighter jet — reportedly launched from Tada-U Airbase — dropped at least two bombs roughly 15 minutes apart on the monastery compound in Swel Le Oh Village, Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, about 75km west of Mandalay. The bombs struck the prayer hall directly, killing at least 14 people including three women and the monastery's abbot, and injuring around 20 more; some reports put the toll at 12 killed and note it could still rise given critical injuries. More than 100 people were present for a weeklong Buddhist Lent meditation retreat that had begun August 19. Five nearby homes were also destroyed. The Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the military only targets 'terrorists' and exercises 'maximum restraint to avoid civilian harm.' Myaung Township is a resistance stronghold where the junta holds little ground but conducts frequent aerial bombardment.