24 Muslim casualties reported in latest Arakan State hostilities

By Admin 30 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 November 2023, Sittwe

At least 24 Muslim casualties, including seven fatalities, have been reported to date in Arakan State over the first 18 days of the latest hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA).

Seven deaths included four in Minbya Township and three in Buthidaung Township. Among the injured are 10 people from Minbya Township and seven from Buthidaung Township.

“Muslim casualties were reported due to the junta’s indiscriminate shelling and firings in our area,” said a resident of Hsingyipyin Village in Minbya Township.

Four people were killed and 10 others were injured when three artillery shells fired by junta troops stationed at Kyein Taung Pagoda in Minbya landed and exploded in Hsingyipyin Village on November 14.

A Muslim woman from Yetchaung Village in Buthidaung Township sustained a gunshot wound as junta soldiers opened fire on her while she was going to her farm on November 20.

Two mortar shells fired by the military’s Buthidaung-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 565 fell near Wahcheelah Village on November 27, killing three people working on a pepper farm and injuring five others.

“Now it can be said that wherever the people live, the safety of their lives is in the hands of the junta troops. Locals face the associated risks,” said a resident of Wahcheelah Village.

DMG phoned junta spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun regarding the reported civilian casualties, but he could not be reached.

The regime is accused of committing war crimes for targeting civilians in Arakan State during the previous fighting. Political analysts say civilians may face more targeting by the regime during the current hostilities.

At least 23 people were killed and 84 others were injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township during the first 18 days of the latest hostilities, according to a DMG tally.

[Editor’s Note: The death toll does not include residents of Pauktaw, where the fighting was ongoing at press time.]