The Myanmar Air Force bombed a religious monastery in Taungup Township on Friday (September 26), marking another attack on a civilian structure in the conflict-ridden Arakan (Rakhine) State. The strike occurred just 15 days after a deadly airstrike on student boarding houses killed twenty students.

According to a report from Narinjara News, a jet fighter dropped 500-pound bombs on the monastery, located near a former military base, at approximately 3:48 p.m. The attack caused the collapse of school buildings within the monastic compound, though no civilian casualties were reported.

"There are rumors that the military may launch an air attack on it these days," a local philanthropist told the news outlet. "There are reports that the monastery, which was once a military monastery, is currently occupied by the AA. Indeed, neither the monks nor any AA members lived there." He added that the junta forces likely bombed the structure based on claims it was being used as a ration store by the Arakan Army (AA).

This latest incident follows a devastating attack on September 12, when the air force dropped two 500-pound bombs on student boarding houses in Thayet Ta Pin Village, Kyauktaw Township. That strike, which occurred around 1:05 a.m., killed 20 pupils and left more than 20 others critically injured.

The military has intensified its air and artillery attacks across Arakan in recent months. In August, it conducted bombings in the AA-controlled towns of Taungup and Ma-i. Since June, coastal townships including Gwa, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Rathedaung, and Ponnagyun have also been subjected to shelling and aerial bombardment.

Political analysts suggest the escalation may be part of the military council's strategy to assert control and conduct elections in townships currently administered by the Arakan Army, including Taungup, Thandwe, Ann, and Gwa.

BOB Post