By Ko Paing / MPA
An airstrike by the State Administration Council (SAC) on a monastery sheltering displaced civilians in Waw Su village, Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including three monks, according to People Defense Team – Madaya Township (Pa Ka Pha- Madaya Township).
The airstrike occurred today, 11 October, around 1:00 PM, when SAC Air Force dropped two 200-pound bombs on the monastery, where approximately 300 displaced people were seeking refuge. The attack was followed by machine gun fire from the aircraft.
“There were around 300 displaced people sheltering at the monastery after fleeing due to ongoing raids by SAC Army. Informants tipped off that the People Defense Forces (PDF) were present at the monastery and SAC Air Force then dropped two 200-pound bombs and opened fire with machine guns from the aircraft,” a member from Pa Ka Pha -Madaya Township told MPA.
Around 30 displaced civilians were also injured in the airstrike.
The displaced people were from Tunkone village and nearby villages, who had sought refuge at the Waw Su village monastery three days earlier due to raids by SAC Army in the area.
“There are ongoing battles in Madaya Township right now,” said Ko Osmond, a spokesperson for MDY-PDF.
Currently, SAC Army is conducting raids in Madaya Township, where clashes with the People Defense Forces continue.
