UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ by latest junta atrocities in Arakan, Sagaing

By Admin 07 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 June 2024, Sittwe

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said Thursday he was deeply concerned by escalating violence in Myanmar, including reports of the military killing scores of civilians in Arakan State late last month.

“The Secretary-General [Guterres] is deeply concerned by the increasing violence across Myanmar and strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Myanmar military that have reportedly killed scores of civilians, including in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region,” spokesman for the UN chief Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The latest incident targeting ethnic Rakhine in Western Myanmar, and the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya, underlines the need for protection of all communities. Indiscriminate aerial bombings and human rights violations continue to be reported in many parts of the country. Those responsible must be held to account,” he added.

The UN chief called on all parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint, prioritise protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and prevent further incitement of communal tensions and violence.

Myanmar’s military regime has been targeting civilians in Arakan State with indiscriminate aerial and artillery attacks as it has lost its hold over most of northern Arakan State, and townships in southern Arakan are also increasingly under attack from the Arakkha Army (AA).

The regime killed 76 residents and raped some women in Byaing Phyu Village, Sittwe Township, on May 29, residents, survivors and the AA said. The junta has denied any massacre occurred.

On Monday, 29 civilians were killed and more than 60 others injured in a junta bombing raid in Mingin Township, Sagaing Region.