The attack occurred on the night towards Friday. In addition to the fatalities, around 30 people were injured, of which about ten seriously, according to an anonymous member of a resistance group.
Myanmar's military has not immediately commented on the air raid on the temple in the village of Lin Ta Lu, which is located just over three miles northwest of Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. The military has previously stated that they only attack legitimate targets, and accused the resistance groups of terrorism.
Civil war has been raging in the country since 2021, when the military took power from Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. The military has escalated air attacks on the opposition, including the People's Defence Forces (PDF), which gathers several resistance groups. The resistance groups lack effective defense against air raids.
Only a few weeks ago, hundreds of soldiers participated in an offensive with tanks and fighter jets just half a mile from the village of Lin Ta Lu. According to the opposition's Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG), the military's purpose is to regain control in areas with resistance groups, ahead of planned elections next year.
