Junta’s Aerial Bomb Attack on Monastery in Dawei Township Kills Two Civilians, Injures Buddhist Monks

April 26, 2025

In a brutal escalation of violence, junta forces launched an indiscriminate aerial bomb attack this morning near Zahar Village Monastery in Dawei Township, killing two civilians and seriously injuring two Buddhist monks. According to local residents, the attack occurred at approximately 7:00 AM, despite no ongoing fighting being reported in the area.

The victims have been identified as Ko Myo Kyaw, aged 51, and his wife, Ma Lay Lay, aged 49. Ko Myo Kyaw succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Ma Lay Lay was killed instantly at the scene. The couple lived close to the monastery and were caught directly in the blast.

“At around 7:00 AM, a bomb dropped by the junta’s air force exploded on a concrete road within the monastery compound,” a local resident recounted. “There was no fighting in Zahar Village or the surrounding area at the time. It was a direct and deliberate attack.”

In addition to the civilian casualties, two monks who were observing their religious duties at the monastery were also wounded. Local sources report that the monks sustained serious injuries but are currently in stable condition.

The attack took place without any prior warning and in an area with no active clashes, underscoring the junta’s ongoing pattern of targeting civilian and religious sites. Residents reported junta aircraft hovering over Dawei airspace throughout the morning, heightening fears of further attacks.

Fighting has intensified across Tanintharyi Region in recent days, particularly between junta forces and resistance groups. As a result, the Public Defense Force (PDF) of Thayetchaung Township recently announced that travel along the critical Union Highway No. 8 between Dawei and Myeik would be heavily restricted until further notice due to security risks.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News