A drone strike by the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) on a Christian Bible school killed at least three female students and injured six others in Hpapun (Mutraw) District, Karen State, on 3 November.
The attack occurred around 3pm, when Tatmadaw forces launched coordinated airstrikes and drone bombardments on the villages of Daebuno and Lelnerde, despite no active fighting taking place in the area.
A Tatmadaw fighter jet dropped roughly 10 bombs on the area, according to witnesses, before an hour-long bombardment by drones.
A church building in Karen State left severely damaged by a military airstrike in 2023. Christians and other civilians in Karen State have endured increased violence from Myanmar’s military government since the coup of February 2021 [Image credit: Karen News]
A Barnabas Aid contact said that this kind of coordinated attack suggests that the school and village “were deliberately targeted”.
Two students were killed instantly when a drone struck the Bible school compound in Daebuno. At least one other student died subsequently from injuries caused by the attack.
Drones also dropped grenades on neighbouring Lelnerde village.
Karen is a Christian-majority state and has suffered multiple military attacks since the coup of February 2021.
How you can pray
Pray that bereaved families will know abundant comfort in the Lord, and ask that the testimony of our sisters called home will resonate powerfully on those left behind and serve to extend God’s Kingdom even amid the ongoing conflict. Pray also that those injured will experience healing and recovery in the difficult days ahead. Pray for an end to attacks on Christians and all civilians in Karen State and other regions of Myanmar.
