25 December 2023

Several public buildings were reportedly damaged by SAC artillery in Mrauk-U town on the morning of 25 December 2023.

It is alleged that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture Archaeological Museum was hit, and the public hospital and blood donation centre also sustained damage.

Using imagery from Google Street View alongside reference photos, Myanmar Witness verified interior damage to the Archaeological Museum, located on the grounds of the historic Mrauk-U Palace. A large hole is visible in the roof of the museum, while several artefacts also appear to have been damaged.

The ancient fortified city of Mrauk-U is the location of many important archaeological sites. The destruction of its museum shows how the conflict continues to threaten Myanmar's cultural landscape.