Arakan Army rebel group and Myanmar army exchange blame following a tragic incident.
A devastating drone strike near Maungdaw, a township located on the border of Rakhine State in Myanmar and Bangladesh, has resulted in numerous casualties among Rohingya individuals fleeing the country. Survivors have described harrowing scenes as they navigated through piles of bodies to locate their deceased and injured family members.
In what is now considered the deadliest assault on civilians in Rakhine during the ongoing conflict between military forces and rebel groups, a heavily pregnant woman and her two-year-old daughter were tragically among those killed. Eyewitnesses reported that families awaiting passage into Bangladesh were directly targeted by the drone attacks.
According to several witnesses and activists, the Arakan Army has been implicated in this attack; however, the group has vehemently denied any involvement. Responsibility for the tragedy remains contested, with both the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military accusing each other. Reports indicate that the precise number of casualties is challenging to verify.
Videos circulating on social media depicted gruesome scenes, revealing bodies scattered across the muddy ground, alongside personal belongings. Survivors have claimed that the death toll could exceed 200, while at least 70 bodies were confirmed by one witness.
In a poignant testimony, 35-year-old Mohammed Eleyas recounted witnessing the drone strikes while standing with his family on the shore. Tragically, both his pregnant wife and young daughter were severely injured in the attack, later succumbing to their wounds. Eleyas recounted the distressing moment he took cover and the horror that ensued when he emerged to find many of his relatives lifeless.
Another survivor, 28-year-old Shamsuddin, shared that he managed to escape with his wife and newborn. He described the aftermath of the attack, with people either deceased or calling out in agony from their injuries.
Amid the chaos, numerous boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Naf River, leading to additional fatalities, with multiple sources confirming the tragedy.
Medecins Sans Frontieres reported treating 39 individuals for violence-related injuries, including gunshot wounds and mortar shell injuries. Survivors described the panic and chaos as they attempted to reach safety across the river.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has acknowledged the deaths of refugees from capsized boats in the Bay of Bengal and has received reports regarding civilian casualties in Maungdaw, although confirmation of specifics is still pending.
The Rohingya community has faced long-term persecution in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, with over 730,000 fleeing during a military-led crackdown in 2017 characterized by the United Nations as having genocidal intent.
Myanmar has experienced significant turmoil since a military coup in 2021 that ousted a democratically elected government, leading to widespread armed conflict and protests. As a result, the Rohingya population has increasingly attempted to escape Rakhine State amidst escalating violence from the Arakan Army, a prominent rebel group in the region.
Activist organizations have condemned the recent drone strikes, and reports from credible sources confirm the accuracy of the claims surrounding the assaults on Rohingya individuals. International representatives have expressed grave concern over the rising death toll.
The junta has accused the Arakan Army of perpetuating the violence, while the militia has denied any culpability. Instead, they contend that the military targeted families reportedly trying to flee without authorization.
Witnesses have corroborated the distressing footage circulating online, noting the geographic features and landmarks that align with the known location of the attacks. Survivors like Eleyas recounted their desperate attempts to escape and reunite with their loved ones amidst the chaos of tragedy and loss.
In his final moments with his wife, Eleyas shared a heartfelt reconciliation, expressing sorrow for any past grievances. After a harrowing night, he found a small boat that enabled him to escape to safety in Bangladesh.
