WCC News: WCC condemns violence against communities in Myanmar

The World Council of Churches (WCC) condemns military strikes against civilians and civilian areas in Myanmar.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 17 February 2026 On 10 February, the military launched an air strike on the village of Tlangkhua, Chin State, Myanmar, a predominantly Mennonite village. The bomb killed six people instantly and seriously injured many others. Most of the victims were part of the Mennonite World Conference member church in Myanmar, the Bible Missionary Church. Among the dead were the deacon, the treasurer, and two youth leaders. Eleven church members needed emergency medical treatment. A church building was under construction close to where the bomb was dropped. The bombing is part of a larger pattern of attacks on civilians, including an attack on neighbouring Matupi township on 9 February. Airstrikes have hit more than 1,000 civilian locations in 15 months, according to data from the Myanmar Peace Monitor. Since late 2024, air attacks have killed at least 1,728 civilians. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay condemned the violence against civilians. “These ongoing attacks are grave violations of international law, of human dignity and the sanctity of life,” said Pillay. “We express our deep solidarity with the Mennonite church and with all the suffering communities in Myanmar.” WCC member churches in Myanmar See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland