Since November 13th, when hostilities flared up for the third time in Rakhine State between the Military Council and the Arakan Army (AA), 24 Muslims have fallen victim to shelling and small-arm shootings perpetrated by the Military Council, resulting in fatalities or injuries.
"There were no fights near our village, so the villagers stayed calm. Suddenly, it was bombarded. We can't determine if this was done on purpose or randomly”, a resident of Singyipyin Muslim village told DMG.
Four individuals from Minbya Township and three from Buthidaung Township were among the deceased, while the injured counted ten from Minbya and seven from Buthidaung.
On November 14th, Military Council forces stationed at Kyein Hill in Minbya Township launched artillery shells at Singyipyin village, killing four villagers and injuring ten.
on November 20th, a woman from Yatchaung Muslim village in the Seinnhyinpya village tract of Buthidaung Township was shot and wounded by Military Council troops while she headed to paddy fields.
Similarly, on November 27th, three Wachila Muslim villagers, who were employed in a chili plantation, lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries as a result of shelling by the 565th Light Infantry Battalion stationed in Buthidaung Township.
"Now, we sense insecurity wherever we go. It is as if our lives are at the mercy of the Military Council. We are already in a situation where we worry about when it will be our turn to face misfortune”, a Wachila villager said.
DMG contacted Military Council spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun to inquire about the shootings of Muslims by the Military Council, but did not receive any response.
In previous clashes in Rakhine State, the Military Council has systematically targeted civilians. Political analysts caution that following the Military Council's significant losses in the current confrontations, there is a heightened risk of them intensifying attacks on civilians in a vindictive manner.
According to information compiled by DMG, 23 civilians were killed and 84 others sustained injuries in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township of Chin State during the 18 days from November 13th to November 30th when the conflict resumed. \\
(Note: The casualty list does not encompass details from Pauktaw Township, where the conflict is currently raging.)
