Myanmar Spring Chronicle – August 7 Scene
(Moe Ma Ka) August 8, 2024
Incident Resulting in Over 200 Rohingya Deaths and AA’s Statement
In a recent tragic incident in Maungdaw Township, located in Rakhine State, near the Naf River, which borders Bangladesh, over 200 Rohingya civilians lost their lives. Locals suspect that the Arakan Army (AA) was responsible for the attack, viewing it as a racially motivated targeting of the Rohingya population.
The incident occurred as Rohingya civilians, fearing the escalating armed conflicts in the region, attempted to cross the Naf River to seek refuge in Bangladesh. They were attacked with heavy weaponry, including artillery shells, rockets, and drone bombs, resulting in the deaths of over 200 people, according to reports by BBC Burmese and RFA Burmese.
The Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State have been living in fear of various armed groups, including ARSA and RSO, as well as the military council forces. Now, they face additional threats from the AA, which allegedly attacked them with drone bombs and rockets. The Rohingya are caught in a situation where they must endure the dangers posed by multiple armed factions. Reports indicate that those attempting to flee across the Naf River into Bangladesh had to pay as much as 800,000 to 1,000,000 kyats for passage on motorboats. However, in their desperate bid to avoid being killed by armed forces, over 200 Rohingya lost their lives.
AA, on the other hand, has denied involvement in the attacks, stating that they are conducting an investigation into the incident near the Naf River and will release an official statement once they have more information. They have also issued guidelines concerning ongoing armed conflicts in Rakhine State, urging civilians to avoid dangerous areas and to head towards safer zones controlled by the Arakan Army. Their statement also included four key points for civilians to follow during these conflicts.
In recent months, AA has faced accusations of not giving civilians enough time to evacuate during the Battle of Buthidaung, as well as of burning down civilian homes. These accusations surfaced after the military council enacted a law requiring forced conscription of Rohingya as soldiers. Rohingya activists have claimed that the military council targeted and attacked Rohingya homes, setting them on fire in response to the forced conscription.
A recent Reuters article also highlighted the burning of civilian homes during the Battle of Buthidaung by AA forces.
As the military council continues to lose ground in Rakhine State, including key battalions and border outposts, they have been accused of reigniting ethnic tensions between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities. The council has allegedly supported former militant groups like ARSA, RSO, and ARA, previously labeled as terrorist organizations, to oppose AA forces.
It appears that the military council is resorting to ethnic manipulation and exploiting old hatreds, while the AA denies involvement in the recent killings. This situation raises concerns about the role of ethnic divisions and extreme nationalism in fueling such tragedies.
Amidst the ongoing severe flooding and intense military conflicts in Rakhine State, addressing the situation with a focus on humanity, human rights, and adherence to international laws governing armed conflicts is crucial. However, the reality on the ground reveals that all armed factions seem to prioritize military victory over these humanitarian concerns, leading to further sorrow and tragedy in the region.