CNI News
12 January 2025
If the Bagan region became a war zone, waging battles without damaging ancient temples and pagodas was impossible, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.
Nyaung U Township PDF (Ogre Army) announced on 8th January 2025 that it would wage operations in the Bagan region, Nyaung U Township in 2025, a World Culture Heritage Site.
It was impossible to wage battles in the Bagan region without damaging ancient pagodas and temples; because they are fighting at the edges of power instead of fighting at the source of power, it would bring loss to the country, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.
" If the Bagan region becomes a battle zone, it is impossible to damage ancient pagodas and temples. Although one side protects ancient pagodas and temples, the other might not protect them. These ancient things are not owned by the current armed groups. We will continue to maintain them. In fact, they have to fight at the power source. If they fight at the edges of power, it could bring loss to the country." he said.
It would carry out operations without damaging ancient pagodas and cultural heritages and the main military targets would be attacked with specially trained troops, said Nyaung U PDF.
If the Myanmar Tatmadaw counterattacked with heavy weapons, ancient pagodas and cultural heritages could be damaged; the Bagan region operation would be waged together with alliance forces from Myingyan, Taungtha, Natogyi, Kyaukpadaung, and Chauk Townships, said the PDF.
If military operations were conducted amid the pagodas in the Bagan region, the pagodas could be damaged more or less, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.
While seeing Bagan pagodas
" If they go into the midst of the pagodas and start a war, the pagodas will be damaged more or less. they say they will avoid something unable to avoid. To tell you frankly, this is no longer an era of typical soldiers' battles." he said.
The people are worried that the Bagan region will become a battle zone, moreover, as the region depend on the tourists, the tourism industry could be damaged, pointed out military and political analysts.
The Bagan region was included on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2019.
