Air Delivered event in Ponnagyun area, Myanmar on Fri 4th September 2026

Historic 450-Year-Old Guwa Pagoda in Rakhine Reportedly Bombed

Rakhine State, September 5

According to writer Wai Hin Aung, the Myanmar military allegedly carried out an airstrike at around 9:00 p.m. on September 4 on the historic Guwa Pagoda located in Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, an area under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).

The historic Guwa Pagoda is said to be one of nine ancient cave pagodas built by the Arakanese King Min Ba, and is approximately 450 years old, according to Wai Hin Aung.

The writer posted information about the extent of the damage to the historic pagoda on his social media page.

Photographs reportedly show that the head of an ancient Buddha image was knocked to the ground as a result of the attack.

Wai Hin Aung stated on social media that following the airstrike, a number of Buddha statues located within the pagoda compound suffered damage.

He commented:

“This has nothing to do with the war. It is a deliberate destruction of historical heritage. It reflects a mindset that seeks not only to harm the Rakhine people but also to erase Rakhine's historical heritage.”

The nine historic cave pagodas, each around 450 years old, are located throughout Rakhine State:

Three in Ponnagyun Township

Three in Pauktaw Township

One in Kyaukphyu

Two in Rathedaung Township

Ko Saw, a member of the Myanmar Lawyers Council, told Red Peacock News Media that the bombing may constitute a criminal offense because it violates laws relating to the protection of ancient cultural heritage.

He noted that on 25 February 2025, the National Unity Government's Interim Central Committee for Heritage Affairs issued a statement saying that the destruction of historic heritage buildings violates Section 19(a) of Myanmar's existing law on the protection and preservation of ancient monuments, as well as international regulations including the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Convention.

Under Section 295 of Myanmar's Penal Code, anyone who destroys, damages, defiles, or desecrates places of worship or objects held sacred for religious purposes may be subject to up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both penalties.