Pagodas in Mrauk-U damaged by junta strikes

By Admin 14 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2023, Mrauk-U

Some pagodas and stupas in the ancient city of Mrauk-U’s cultural heritage zone were damaged by junta air and artillery strikes on Wednesday.

Junta troops carried out air and artillery attacks following the fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) on Wednesday. The Yadanar Manaung and Thetkyar Manaung pagodas were damaged by strikes.

“We feel very sorry that irreplaceable cultural heritage was damaged by airstrikes. Both sides should value and take care of ancient cultural heritage despite the conflict,” said a woman from Mrauk-U.

Mrauk-U was the seat of the Arakanese kingdom and is a point of pride and of great sentimental value for Arakanese people. A bid has been made on the city’s behalf for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

“The regime is shooting here and there because it can’t defeat the AA. They don’t know the value of cultural heritage. It is not strange because they don’t even value the lives and property of civilians,” said Arakanese politician U Aung Thaung Shwe.

Pagodas and temples were damaged when a junta MI 35 gunship fired shots at religious buildings in Mrauk-U, the AA said on Wednesday. Regime spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun said junta troops responded because the AA carried out attacks using heritage buildings as cover.

Some ancient pagodas and stupas were damaged by Myanmar military air and artillery strikes during previous fighting in 2019.