PDF's threat to Bagan: A perplexing attack on cultural heritage
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By Phyo Lin Aung (NP News) - Jan 13
The People's Defense Force (PDF) of Nyaung-U Township has threatened military action in the Bagan World Heritage Site area, following a directive from the National Unity Government (NUG), which positions itself as a parallel government to the State Administration Council (SAC). Locals are concerned that this action could damage historical monuments, including ancient pagodas, and disrupt tourism.
In a statement, the NUG-controlled PDF emphasized that while Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cannot be directly attacked, military action will proceed according to the NUG's guidelines. They also promised efforts to avoid damaging the pagodas, but if damage occurs, the Tatmadaw will be blamed. This contradictory message was observed in a video released on January 5.
The Nyaung-U PDF has pledged to conduct military action in Bagan without harming the pagodas. However, their lack of expertise in conducting controlled operations was demonstrated in 2021, when they used homemade bombs, Molotov cocktails and other weapons to damage a pagoda in Bagan. This reckless behavior led to global condemnation and a halt in military operations in the region. Now, the PDF plans to resume military actions.
The Bagan World Heritage Site, which survived global conflicts like World War II without becoming a battleground, now faces the risk of being turned into one. Local residents have criticized the NUG’s justification for these actions, questioning why they want to turn Bagan into a war zone, especially when the site has been preserved throughout history.
The Bagan-Nyaung-U region is home to many locals whose livelihoods depend on tourism. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses thrived, but the pandemic halted tourism. Afterward, PDF checkpoints and violent activities, including the use of mines, harmed tourists. Despite this, the area saw an influx of visitors during recent tourist seasons, giving locals hope. However, the new military conflict now threatens a return to the hardships of the pandemic period.
If the NUG and PDF continue their military operations, it could lead to the destruction of Bagan and the loss of local livelihoods. The local population, already on edge, would face further uncertainty and suffering. The destruction of Bagan should be opposed, as the consequences would severely harm both the people and their historical heritage.
These actions resemble those carried out by terrorist groups across the world. For example, the Taliban in Pakistan have been notorious for destroying cultural heritage sites, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, in an attempt to erase history and impose their ideological views. Similarly, the Islamic State (ISIS) has systematically targeted ancient monuments, including the destruction of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, to spread fear and undermine regional identity.
These groups’ disregard for historical landmarks mirrors the threats posed by the NUG and PDF to the Bagan World Heritage Site. Like these extremist organizations, the actions of the NUG and PDF could cause irreparable harm to both cultural heritage and the local population's livelihoods. Such violent tactics, whether aimed at monuments or civilians, show a complete disregard for shared heritage and the long-term consequences for the affected communities.
The actions of the PDF targeting the Bagan Heritage Site are difficult to understand, especially considering that Bagan is one of the most significant Buddhist religious heritage sites in Myanmar. Bagan is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also a sacred location for many Buddhists, with its ancient pagodas and temples representing centuries of cultural and religious history.
In contrast, the Taliban's destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan can be partially understood within the context of their extremist Islamic beliefs, which often led them to view non-Islamic symbols, particularly those representing other religions, as idolatrous and therefore worthy of destruction. The Taliban’s actions were rooted in a strict interpretation of Islamic ideology, which often involved targeting places of worship and cultural heritage associated with other religions, particularly Buddhism.
However, the situation with the PDF is more perplexing. While the PDF's military actions are driven by their opposition to the Tatmadaw and their goal of overthrowing the current government, the fact that many of the PDF members are themselves Buddhist complicates this situation. It is hard to comprehend why a group that includes Buddhists in its ranks would target a Buddhist religious site like Bagan. The destruction of such a significant cultural and religious heritage by fellow Buddhists raises questions about their priorities and tactics. The PDF’s approach appears to be more politically motivated, as they see the heritage site as a strategic location, even though its cultural and religious importance should ideally transcend political conflict.
The PDF's intentions are not only perplexing when it comes to Bagan, but their broader actions, including killings, attacks, and destruction, are equally troubling. While their stated aim is to oppose the Tatmadaw, they have repeatedly targeted and killed innocent civilians under the guise of achieving their goals.
Additionally, the PDF has destroyed key infrastructure, such as bridges, telecommunication towers, and power plants, claiming that these actions are necessary to disrupt the government's operations. However, the true victims of these attacks are not the government or military forces, but innocent civilians who suffer the fallout. For example, the destruction of electric power plants has led to widespread power shortages across the country, affecting countless families and businesses.
Such terror acts harm innocent civilians and make life even harder for a population already facing immense challenges. The PDF should reconsider their extremist actions, as their tactics are only deepening the suffering of the very people they claim to be fighting for. Instead of weakening the Tatmadaw, they are exacerbating the hardships faced by the civilian population, and their actions risk further alienating those they purport to represent. –