At least 150 Rohingya civilians have been killed in a deadly drone and artillery attack in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Many of the victims were children. The attack happened while these people were trying to escape from Maungdaw town. They were waiting to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh. Survivors saw bodies scattered along the riverbank in the chaos.
Who Did It?
Witnesses and activists blame the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine militia, for the attack. However, the Arakan Army denies this. They say Myanmar’s military is responsible. This attack is one of the worst against civilians since the military took control in 2021.
Doctors Helping the Injured
Doctors Across Borders has been treating many Rohingya who were injured while escaping. Many of the injured are women and children who made it to Bangladesh despite the danger.
The Rohingya Crisis
Its for a long time now, Rohingya facing discrimination and violence in Myanmar . They are denied citizenship and basic rights. In 2017, a violent crackdown forced over 740,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. They still live in crowded camps and cannot return home due to ongoing violence.
The conflict in Rakhine is part of a bigger fight involving Myanmar’s military and various ethnic armed groups. The Arakan Army, which wants more freedom from the central government, has been fighting hard in the region. This fighting often hurts civilians. Recently, the Arakan Army was accused of burning down a major Rohingya town. This led to even more people being displaced. The Arakan Army denies these accusations, but there are reports of their involvement in violence against civilians.
Calls for Global Action
The world has condemned the violence against the Rohingya. There is a strong call for Myanmar to end the conflict and protect all its people. Humanitarian groups are pushing for more help for those injured and displaced by recent attacks. The situation is also complicated by reports of forced recruitment. Both the military and armed groups are accused of forcing Rohingya men to fight. This adds to the fear and insecurity among the Rohingya.
A Plea for Help
This attack shows the urgency for world to act. The Rohingya are at great risk of further violence and displacement. Global leaders need to take action to ensure their safety and help them rebuild their lives. The world must not ignore the suffering of the Rohingya. It is important to support efforts that bring peace and stability to Myanmar. Every person deserves to live without fear and with dignity.
Christina Johnson is a proud born and raised Torontonian. Christina has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and the Financial Post. As a journalist for White Pine Tribune, Christina covers national and international developments.
