In Hsihseng Township, situated in the Pa'O Self-Administered Zone within Taunggyi District in southern Shan State, an airstrike conducted by the Military Council inflicted extensive damage to a monastery accommodating over 500 monks.
On the night of February 2nd, despite the absence of ongoing conflict in the vicinity, the Junta Air Force conducted an airstrike, causing damage to the ZawanarYarma monastery, locals said.
"No fighting occurred, yet the Junta conducted artillery barrages throughout the day. In the evening, an aircraft arrived and bombed Mingalar ward, resulting in damage to a monastery and several houses”, according to a local source.The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) also confirmed that a monastery sustained damage due to the Junta's airstrike.
Despite the absence of fighting, the Military Council engaged in shelling throughout the day, and in the evening, an airstrike damaged structures in the ZawanarYarma monastery, a prominent building in Hsihseng town, as announced by PNLA. The PNLA statement asserted that the air raid aimed at the monastery housing over 500 monks was intended to suppress religious freedom and faith, constituting an egregious act affecting the sentiments of the Pa-O ethnics.
PNLA clarified that the monastery was situated outside the combat zone, and its troops were not deployed in that area.
On January 20th, in the vicinity of Sanhpu village in Hopong Township within the Pa'O Self-Administered Zone, a coalition of the Military Council and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) confronted PNLA in a gun battle, sparking renewed clashes in southern Shan State.
On January 24th, PNLA and allied forces seized control of Hsihseng, prompting near-constant land and air offensives by the Military Council in their efforts to retake the town.
Following PNLA's takeover of Hsihseng, the Military Council implemented a scorched-earth strategy, deliberately destroying surrounding villages. As of February 4th, PNLA reported damage to five monasteries, one chapel, one church, one school, and several residential houses, attributing the destruction to Junta troops.
