January 26, 2024
by Nay San Lwin | co-founder, free rohingya coalition
In recent weeks, Buthidaung Township in Rakhine State, Myanmar, has been cut off from mobile and internet communication, rendering the community incommunicado. The situation escalated when the Arakan Army entered Hpon Nyo Lake village in Buthidaung Township. Rakhine families fled the village, knowing they would not be safe anymore.
On January 25th, 2024, the situation deteriorated significantly as the Myanmar military launched artillery attacks on the village, resulting in the injury of at least 12 Rohingya villagers, including a pregnant woman.
In the evening, Rohingya villagers went to the village administrator, who is of Rakhine ethnicity, begging to request that the Arakan Army not take shelter inside the village and the schools. However, the village administrator told them to request this from the Arakan Army’s commander. They did so, but the request wasn’t honoured.
The following day, January 26th, 2024, there was a further escalation, with continuous artillery bombardment leading to the tragic death of at least a dozen Rohingya and the injury of over 30 villagers. Injured villagers managed to reach downtown Buthidaung, where they were admitted to the hospital for medical attention.
Due to the unavailability of mobile networks, the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.
Sources indicate that while the Arakan Army fired a limited number of shots, the Myanmar military disproportionately responded. There was certainly intentional targeting of Rohingya villages.
As of now, more than 80% of villagers have fled the village and are taking shelter wherever they can.
Civilians must be protected under international laws. The deliberate engagement of conflict within civilian villages violates these principles.
I appeal to those in contact with either the Myanmar military or the Arakan Army to urgently address this issue and refrain from creating battlegrounds within civilian areas, regardless of ethnic background.
nslwin@rohingyablogger.com WhatsApp/Signal at +49 176 62139138