Junta airstrike kills two at Natogyi monastery

At least two people were killed when Myanmar’s military carried out an airstrike on a monastery sheltering displaced civilians near Natogyi Town in Mandalay Region, according to local sources. The monastery, situated in the village of Ma Gyi Kone, near Natogyi Town, was devastated by the aerial attack, a Natogyi resident who spoke to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity said. “There were two airstrikes in total, and about four bombs were dropped,” the source said. “Some victims lost arms or legs, and women were killed. Monks were also among those affected. So far, two deaths have been confirmed.” Since early this month, fierce clashes have occurred between junta troops and local resistance forces near Thu Htay Kone village, east of the Natogyi–Mahlaing Road, and south of the town of Natogyi, with the junta carrying out continuous airstrikes. The junta has carried out near-daily airstrikes along the route south of Natogyi in recent days. One attack on the morning of October 8 wounded several civilians, including children, according to a man close to the Natogyi Township People’s Administration Team, who said a full list of casualties was still being compiled. “They bombed the monastery without any justification,” the source said. “There were no clashes in Ma Gyi Kone, but their daily airstrikes have destroyed buildings. The real problem is the air attacks, which will resume even if they take a short break.”Residents of Natogyi have fled west toward villages still untouched by the clashes, including Ma Gyi Kone. The attacks come as the military intensifies operations in Mandalay Region following its announcement of elections for late December, with junta troops and pro-junta militias launching joint assaults in Myingyan and Natogyi with artillery, drones, and airstrikes. Sources say that during these assaults, villages have been set on fire, with locals reporting that civilians were killed in encounters with junta forces. Myingyan, Natogyi, and Taungtha townships—forming a triangle east of the Ayeyarwaddy River—have become key resistance strongholds, with most rural areas now under anti-junta control.Increasingly unable to dominate with ground forces, the junta has relied on aerial assaults, giving it a tactical advantage. This tactic was clearly demonstrated on October 7. On Thadingyut Full Moon Day, a major cultural and religious holiday in Myanmar, the junta bombed a candlelight procession in Bon To village, Sagaing Region, using a weaponised paramotor, killing nearly two dozen people, including children, and injuring dozens more.

Junta airstrike kills two at Natogyi monastery

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