Bombing the Buddha: Myanmar’s Military Targets Civilians in Central Province

The bombing of a Buddhist monastery in central Myanmar has left 14 dead, including three women, and at least 20 injured. This attack, which occurred in Swel Le Oh village in Myaung township, is another egregious example of the military regime’s disregard for civilian lives.

Myanmar’s civil war, which began when the army seized power from the elected government in February 2021, has resulted in over 100,000 deaths and displaced more than 5 million people. Many opponents of military rule have taken up arms against the junta, yet the international community’s response to Myanmar’s crisis has been lukewarm at best.

The bombing of the monastery is part of a broader pattern of violence perpetrated by the military regime. In recent months, there have been reports of aerial attacks on civilian targets, including villages and marketplaces. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), established by the United Nations, has documented an escalation in aerial attacks preceding the elections held in December and January.

Local residents and opposition groups corroborate the IIMM’s findings, reporting that the military has been increasingly targeting civilians with airstrikes. In Swel Le Oh village, where the monastery bombing took place, villagers have spoken out about the terror caused by these attacks. “We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve had to run for our lives,” said one villager who wished to remain anonymous.

The military’s justification for its actions is that it only targets “terrorists” and exercises maximum restraint to avoid civilian harm, but this claim is dubious given the number of civilians killed or injured in recent attacks. The IIMM has also reported that many airstrikes have been carried out on populated areas without proper targeting.

To address Myanmar’s crisis effectively, the international community must take note of these developments and reevaluate its response. Sanctions and diplomatic pressure are essential tools for holding the military regime accountable for its actions, but they should be coupled with a nuanced understanding of the complexities on the ground.

The resistance forces fighting against the government are not a monolithic entity; rather, they comprise diverse ethnically or politically divided armed groups. Some of these groups have existed for decades and have legitimate grievances against the military regime. The international community must engage with these groups and understand their demands to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In the short term, the international community should call on the military regime to cease its aerial attacks on civilian targets, including halting airstrikes in populated areas and providing humanitarian aid to affected communities. It also means pressing Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to acknowledge the IIMM’s findings and take concrete steps to address human rights abuses committed by its security forces.

Ultimately, a comprehensive peace process is needed to address the root causes of the conflict. This requires engaging with all stakeholders, including resistance groups, ethnic armies, and civil society organizations, as well as acknowledging the historical grievances of Myanmar’s people, particularly the Rohingya, who have faced decades of persecution and violence.

The bombing of the Buddhist monastery in Swel Le Oh village serves as a stark reminder of the horrors committed by Myanmar’s military regime. As the international community watches, it is clear that something needs to change – and fast. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis any longer.