A representative from the military government of Burma has denied allegations that army troops and their local allies were involved in the killing of 76 people in a village in the Rakhine state, despite reports of the incident being supported by photographic evidence and the harrowing account of a survivor. Rakhine has become a battleground for the ongoing civil war in Burma, as pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed forces clash with the military rulers who seized power in 2021. The violence in Rakhine has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of organized violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority, reminiscent of the violent incidents that led to hundreds of thousands fleeing to Bangladesh for safety in 2017.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group that has been targeting army outposts in Rakhine since November, has claimed responsibility for the accusations of a massacre in Byine Phyu village. The village is strategically located near the Bay of Bengal, on the outskirts of Rakhine’s capital, Sittwe. The Arakan Army, representing the Buddhist Rakhine minority, seeks autonomy from the central government but has also been accused of committing human rights violations, such as forcibly displacing residents and setting fire to buildings in towns like Buthidaung. Competing claims about the responsibility for such actions remain unverified due to restrictions on travel and communication in the region.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, the military council spokesperson, has refuted the claims of a mass killing in Byine Phyu village, stating that security forces detained individuals suspected of being members of the Arakan Army and were forced to shoot three suspects who attempted to seize a weapon. The Arakan Army has released a statement alleging that 76 people were killed by military raiders in the village, including claims of brutality and sexual assault. However, details of the incident remain disputed, with only few residents willing to speak out about the situation due to concerns for the safety of their family members who may have been detained.
The United Nations human rights office has expressed alarm at the reports of new violence in Rakhine, highlighting attacks on Rohingya civilians by the military and ethnic armed groups. The situation in Rakhine has sparked fears of renewed persecution against the Rohingya minority, who have long faced discrimination and denial of citizenship rights in Burma. The Rohingya, who are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh by many in Burma’s Buddhist majority, were subjected to a brutal campaign of violence in 2017 that forced thousands to flee to neighboring countries. Concerns have arisen that the Arakan Army’s capture of Buthidaung and subsequent allegations of forced displacement and property destruction could result in further human rights abuses against the Rohingya population.
The volatile situation in Rakhine underscores the complex dynamics of conflict and ethnic tensions in Burma, where multiple armed groups vying for power and autonomy have contributed to a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. The ongoing clashes between military forces, pro-democracy activists, and ethnic militias have led to widespread violence and displacement of civilian populations, with reports of atrocities and rights violations on all sides. The international community has called for an investigation into the allegations of mass killings and human rights abuses in Rakhine, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims of the conflict. However, with limited access to the conflict zones and restrictions on independent verification, the full extent of the violence and its impact on vulnerable communities remains unclear.
