Thousands of persecuted minorities have been displaced in western Myanmar's Rakhine state. Rohingya rights activists have accused the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group active there. On the other hand, the United States has expressed concern over the increase in violence in Rakhine.
Rakhine State has been on fire since the Arakan Army clashed with Myanmar's junta last November. In this situation, the Arakan Army says it is fighting for more autonomy for the local Rakhines.
About 600,000 minority Rohingya Muslims live in that state of Myanmar. In 2017, millions of Rohingya fled Rakhine State and sought refuge in Bangladesh in the face of the junta's crackdown. A case of genocide is going on in the international court regarding the incident of Rohingya torture.
In a joint statement, several Rohingya rights groups active abroad alleged that Arakan Army fighters forced Rohingya refugees from Buthidang town in Rakhine state last week. Houses in the city were looted. has been burned.
Not only that, the statement also mentions that the Rohingyas were driven out of Buthidang town and taken to the Arakan Army controlled area. Allegedly, the Arakan Army fighters forcibly displaced the Rohingyas. violated human rights.
Last week, the Arakan Army announced that it had taken control of the town of Buthidang in Rakhine. According to them, this is the latest example of the organization's victory against Myanmar's junta. Residents were warned to leave the city, the Arakan Army said. They were also helped to move to safe places occupied by the Arakan Army. However, no details have been given in this regard.
The Arakan Army has alleged that Myanmar's junta forces have wreaked havoc in Buthidang. They say junta troops have carried out ethnic and religious violence in the city while fighting the Arakan Army.
There was no response from the junta on the recent clashes in the Buthidang area. AFP contacted the Arakan Army for its response. No response received.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has reported that hundreds of people have been killed in recent clashes in Rakhine. Nearly three lakh people have become refugees. Internet and telephone services are suspended. So getting information from there is now quite difficult.
The US State Department said last Tuesday that the city of Buthidang in Myanmar has been burned. Local residents, including Rohingyas, have fled the city. Earlier, the UN human rights chief also warned about the situation in the city.
In a statement, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the recent violence-communal tensions in Rakhine have raised the threat of new casualties. The US has called on Myanmar's junta and all armed groups to protect local civilians and allow humanitarian access.
Publisher : Mustakim Nibir
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