Recent reports suggest that hundreds of Rohingya civilians, including women and children, were killed by drone strikes while attempting to flee violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.
According to CNN, unverified reports estimate the death toll at approximately 200 people, potentially making it one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Myanmar's ongoing three-year civil war. The incident, which occurred on August 5, has sparked renewed fears of ethnic cleansing against the stateless Rohingya Muslim community.
Videos shared on social media and geolocated by CNN revealed disturbing scenes of numerous bodies strewn across the muddy banks of the Naf River, which separates Myanmar from Bangladesh.
Witnesses and Rohingya activists claim that the Arakan Army (AA), a powerful ethnic armed group fighting against the Myanmar military, was responsible for the attacks on the fleeing Rohingya. However, the AA has denied involvement, stating that the deaths did not occur in areas under their control.
Conflicting Claims And Ongoing Violence In Rakhine State
The Myanmar military junta, on the other hand, has accused the AA of attacking townships, wards, and villages in Rakhine state using heavy weapons and drones. The junta claims that AA "terrorists" have been torturing villagers. Due to a junta-imposed internet and telecoms blackout and restrictions on access to the area, it has been nearly impossible for journalists, activists, and international monitoring groups to independently verify the situation.
The recent violence has drawn comparisons to the brutal attacks on the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017, which led to a mass exodus and are currently under investigation for genocide at the International Court of Justice. The latest incidents have raised concerns about the potential for further ethnic cleansing in the region.
Reports from activists and local media suggest that attacks on villages near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border continued in the days following August 5. These reports include accounts of additional deaths, sexual violence, the burning of homes, and forced conscription by the AA.
Humanitarian Crisis And Refugee Influx In Bangladesh
The escalating violence has forced thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes, with many attempting to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported treating 39 Rohingya individuals who had crossed from Myanmar with violence-related injuries, including mortar shell and gunshot wounds.
Orla Murphy, MSF country representative in Bangladesh, stated:
It is clear that the safe space for civilians in Myanmar is shrinking more each day, with people forced to make perilous journeys to Bangladesh to seek safety. The situation we are seeing unfold is deeply concerning, and we fear for the safety and well-being of those still trapped in conflict-affected areas.
The influx of refugees has put additional strain on the already overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where an estimated 1 million Rohingya live in squalid conditions.
Human Rights Watch released a report on Tuesday highlighting the atrocities committed by both the Myanmar junta forces and the AA against Rohingya and other civilians in Rakhine state. The report suggests that both sides have engaged in extrajudicial killings and widespread arson, raising concerns about potential ethnic cleansing.
Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, commented on the situation:
Ethnic Rohingya and Rakhine civilians are bearing the brunt of the atrocities that the Myanmar military and opposition Arakan Army are committing. Both sides are using hate speech, attacks on civilians, and massive arson to drive people from their homes and villages, raising the specter of ethnic cleansing.
The ongoing conflict and reports of human rights violations have drawn international attention, with calls for immediate action to protect civilians and investigate the alleged atrocities.
Conclusion
The recent drone strikes on fleeing Rohingya in Myanmar have resulted in hundreds of reported casualties, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The conflicting claims between the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army have complicated efforts to verify the situation. The violence has forced thousands to flee, with many seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Human rights organizations have expressed grave concerns about the potential for ethnic cleansing and have called for immediate action to protect civilians and investigate the alleged atrocities.
