Myanmar Junta Bombs Third Church in Five Days

The Myanmar military has destroyed another church in Chin State, marking the third attack on Christian religious structures within five days, in blatant violation of its self-declared ceasefire aimed at facilitating post-earthquake relief.

The Myoma Baptist Church in Mindat town was severely damaged in an aerial bombing on April 13, along with several nearby buildings, according to local church sources and rights groups.

Fortunately, no civilian casualties were reported, as residents had evacuated the area in fear of renewed attacks.

This comes just days after the Christ the King Catholic Church in Falam township was targeted on April 8, and an April 9 airstrike in Mindat killed six civilians—including a pastor and an eight-month-old baby—and damaged the Assembly of God Church and several homes.

The junta had announced a nationwide ceasefire from April 2 to 22 following the devastating March 28 earthquake, which claimed over 3,600 lives and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

However, rights organizations say military attacks have escalated, particularly in ethnic minority regions such as Chin, Karenni, and southern Shan states.

Chin State, where 85 percent of the population is Christian, has been a stronghold of resistance since the 2021 military coup and is currently under the control of the Chin Brotherhood alliance.

The latest strikes are viewed as a strategic move to reclaim territory through fear and destruction.

“This is a cruel and calculated attempt by a desperate regime to reassert control by terrorizing an already devastated population,” said the Chin Human Rights Organization in a statement released on April 13. “Bombing villages, churches, and children in the middle of a humanitarian disaster shows the junta's utter contempt for life, faith, and the laws of war.”

The UN Human Rights Office reported over 120 military attacks since April 2, with more than half taking place after the ceasefire was declared.

Meanwhile, Radio Free Asia revealed that nearly 10,000 religious structures across the country were damaged in the earthquake, including 50 churches.

Despite the junta’s claims that ethnic groups and resistance forces have continued hostilities, international observers and humanitarian groups say the military’s actions are worsening an already dire crisis.