Hundreds of religious buildings hit in Myanmar civil war

The buildings damaged or destroyed include temples, churches, mosques and monasteries, as well as social, educational and health institutions.

Fides reported an unnamed source saying that the attacks have been most intense in the Sagaing and Magwe regions and in Chin and Kayah states, where “indiscriminate airstrikes, artillery and drone attacks” have caused widespread devastation.

Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since the military ousted the elected government in early 2021. Ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces have fought back fiercely, and the junta is believed to control only about 30 per cent of the country.

According to Fides, testimonies from priests, missionaries and Catholic laypeople support data from independent organisations like the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the Centre for Information Resilience and Myanmar Witness. Catholic groups are putting together a detailed census to record war-related damage to religious communities.

Data collected indicated that more than 400 health facilities – including hospitals, clinics and dispensaries that often offer free care to the poor – have been struck by military attacks.

More than 240 schools have been destroyed in air raids, disrupting education for thousands of children. Many remaining school buildings are reportedly being used as military bases or command posts.

Fides reported that nine churches and related buildings have been destroyed or taken over by junta forces.

Catholic leaders have reaffirmed that, under international humanitarian law, places of worship are protected civilian properties and should not be targeted.

The UN estimates that 22 million people in Myanmar currently need humanitarian aid, with 3.5 million displaced by the ongoing conflict.

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Myanmar military accused of destroying hundreds of religious sites (UCA News)