The Rohingya Muslim community is once again facing the threat of ethnic cleansing as reports surface of hundreds of people killed by drone strikes as they fled violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The victims, including women and children, were trying to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh when the attack took place. Rohingya witnesses and activists say the August 5 drone attacks targeted civilians fleeing the conflict in their villages of Maungdaw in northern Rakhine. Unverified reports suggest the death toll could be around 200, making it one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Myanmar's three-year civil war, which began after the coup military of 2021.
The Arakan Army (AA), an armed ethnic group fighting the Myanmar army, is accused of orchestrating the attacks against the Rohingya. AA has denied the allegations, saying the deaths occurred outside its areas of control and are unrelated to its organization. However, they admitted to conducting an offensive near Maungdaw to capture the remaining military camps and had previously urged civilians to evacuate the area.
Myanmar's military junta, meanwhile, has blamed the AA for the Maungdaw attacks, claiming the group used heavy weapons and drones to terrorize the local population. The exact number of victims and the party responsible remain unverified due to a junta-imposed internet and telecommunications blackout and state access restrictions.
The Rohingya have long been victims of mass atrocities and forced displacement, and many, including UN experts, have labeled it a genocide perpetrated by the country's military. The recent violence is reminiscent of attacks against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017, who are currently under a genocide investigation at the International Court of Justice.
Fighting has reportedly intensified, with thousands fleeing to AA-held areas. The medical NGO Doctors Without Borders has treated 39 Rohingya people who crossed from Myanmar with violence-related injuries, including mortar shell injuries and gunshot wounds. The conflict between AA and Myanmar's army around Maungdaw has intensified in recent weeks, with the rebel group continuing its offensive to seize more military posts and towns from the junta.
Human Rights Watch has released a report alleging that both Myanmar's junta forces and the AA have committed widespread extrajudicial killings and arson against Rohingya and other civilians in Rakhine State in recent months, raising the specter of ethnic cleansing The report also noted the forced recruitment of Rohingya men and boys, which is fueling religious tensions between the Rohingya Muslim and Rakhine Buddhist communities.
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