Burma-Myanmar: United Wa State Army (UWSA) rebels attacked churches in Shan state, detained pastors and shaved their heads before releasing them
Ethnic Wa rebels shut down churches, destroyed buildings, and temporarily detained several pastor in eastern Burma (Myanmar), shaving their heads before releasing them.
Persecution watchdog Morning Star News reports that earlier this month, soldiers of Myanmar’s largest ethnic rebel group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), attacked the churches in the rebel’s autonomous region in Shan state.
“We confirmed that at least 12 churches have been destroyed or closed as of Sept. 20,” a Christian leader who has lived in the Wa region for several decades told the outlet.
Most of the targets were Baptist churches in Panghsang, where Wa soldiers destroyed crosses, the source said. Video footage also showed UWSA soldiers damaging a church building in Mong Maw town, and local sources said schools built by Christian organizations in Panghsand town also have been shut down.