Episode: KPN 10-08-2024

Children, pregnant woman, families killed in deadly drone attack on Rohingya fleeing Myanmar

Dozens of Rohingyas trying to flee Myanmar were killed in a drone attack. Among the dead were families with children, witnesses revealed, adding that the survivors were seen wandering between piles of bodies looking for their injured relatives.

As per witnesses, activists and a diplomat, the drone attack struck families waiting to cross over into Bangladesh. Among the dead was a heavily preganant woman with her daughter, aged two.

The attack is the single deadliest known assault on civilians in Rakhine state during the recent weeks of clashes between junta troops and rebels.

Reuters has reported that the Arakan Army was responsible, citing three witnesses. However, the group denies the claim. The militia and Myanmar’s military accused each other.

Videos shared on social media showed bodies lying across muddy ground, with suitcases and backpacks scattered nearby. According to three survivors, over 200 people had died, while a witness to the aftermath reported seeing at least 70 bodies.

Reuters reported that it verified the location of the videos just outside the coastal Myanmar town of Maungdaw. However, it added that it could not confirm the date the videos were filmed.

The Rohingya have faced longstanding persecution in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. In 2017, over 730,000 fled the country following a military-led crackdown that the UN described as having genocidal intent.

Tagged as: Rohingya,  war crimes,  Rohingya Refugee,  Camp schools,  Akyab,  Rohingya refugee camp,  community schools,  APBn,  RRRC,  foods shortage,  Balukhali,  Sittwe,  hungers,  Bangadesh refugee camp,  Teknaf,  ration cut,  BGP,  Burma-Bangladesh border,  Arakan,  RSO,  Buthidaung,  BGB,  Burma,  Malaysia going boat,  IDP camp in Arakan,  Arakan Army,  Myanmar,  Military navy,  Kutupalong,  Cox's Bazar,  Rohingya boat people,  Maungdaw,  Military Council force,  Rakhine,  IIMM,  Rathedaung,  ARSA.