Bangkok, Aug 20: In a devastating attack last week, up to 200 Rohingya civilians, including children, were killed in a combined artillery and drone strike while attempting to flee violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The attack, which occurred last Monday, targeted people crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh, according to witnesses and humanitarian sources.
The incident took place near the town of Maungdaw, where civilians from several villages, including Maung Ni, Myoma Taung, and Myoma Kayin Dan, were trying to escape escalating conflict. Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, reported that multiple drone bombs were dropped on the fleeing civilians, resulting in widespread casualties.
Videos shared on social media show the aftermath, with bodies and belongings scattered across the ground. Survivors have claimed that over 200 people were killed and around 300 injured, with many bodies left unattended as those who survived rushed to save their lives.
The Arakan Army, an armed group engaged in conflict with Myanmar’s military, has seized significant areas of Rakhine state in recent months. Both the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military have denied responsibility for the attack, blaming each other. Activists have accused the Arakan Army of targeting Rohingya communities with violence, including killings and forced recruitment, allegations the group has denied.
Rahim, a survivor of the attack who fled with his family to Bangladesh, described the chaos and horror of the scene, where bodies were strewn everywhere and survivors struggled to find help. “When we came through that place, some people were still alive, but there was no one to help them,” he said, recounting the harrowing journey.
The violence in Rakhine state has escalated, with many Rohingya civilians seeking refuge in Bangladesh. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported treating 50 patients in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, who had fled Myanmar, including 18 children, many of whom had sustained injuries from mortar shells and gunfire. Survivors have described witnessing mass casualties along the riverbanks and the desperate conditions in which they fled.
The Rohingya, a persecuted minority in Myanmar, have faced brutal crackdowns and systemic discrimination for years, with the Myanmar military previously accused of genocide. The latest attack underscores the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya people as they continue to seek safety and basic human rights.