Staff Reporter:
At least 150 Rohingya civilians may have been killed in an artillery and drone strike in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, according to survivors.
The attack, suspected to be carried out by the Arakan Army, targeted people fleeing violence by crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh.
This week, a devastating attack in Myanmar’s Rakhine state may have claimed the lives of at least 150 Rohingya civilians. The assault, involving artillery and drones, occurred as the victims attempted to flee fierce fighting in the town of Maungdaw by crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh. Survivors and Rohingya activists suspect the attack was carried out by the Arakan Army, a major resistance force, though the group has denied responsibility.
Doctors Without Borders reported an influx of injured Rohingya refugees crossing into Bangladesh, many with violence-related wounds, including injuries from mortar shells and gunshots. Gruesome videos circulating on social media allegedly show bodies strewn along a riverside road, though the footage and details of the attack remain unverified due to restricted access to the area.
Survivors described the harrowing experience of drones dropping bombs on crowds of Rohingya civilians and subsequent artillery shelling. One 17-year-old survivor recounted how he saw about 150 people, including women and children, killed in the attack. Another survivor reported passing dozens of dead bodies while fleeing to Bangladesh.
The Arakan Army, which has been engaged in a Rakhine offensive since November, denied involvement in the attack, placing the blame on Myanmar’s military government. The military, known for its 2017 atrocities against the Rohingya, also accused the Arakan Army of targeting civilians, including allegations of rape and murder.
The conflict in Rakhine state raises fears of renewed violence against the Rohingya, who have faced systematic persecution and were forced to flee to Bangladesh in large numbers in 2017. The ongoing instability in the region continues to jeopardize the safety and rights of the Rohingya population.
