Geneva/Rangoon. In Myanmar’s military dictatorship, the army is retreating in many places and rebel armies are gaining ground. The situation is devastating for civilians – especially the Rohingya, who are treated with hostility by everyone.
Violence and attacks by military and rebel armies have once again forced thousands of civilians to flee in Myanmar, Southeast Asia.
In the northern Rhakine region, where the Rohingya Muslim minority lives, 45,000 people flew to the border region with Bangladesh, the UN human rights office in Geneva said. One refugee reported seeing dozens of dead people on the escape route, said the head of Myanmar’s human rights office, James Rodehaver. According to credible reports, the city of Buthidaung has largely been burned down since last Friday. Rodehaver spoke from Bangkok, in neighboring Thailand, via video conference, with reporters in Geneva.
US Newsletter – Washington Briefing
Always well informed about the most important events in the United States
By signing up for the newsletter I agree to this
Advertising Contract
for.
It is still unclear who is responsible for the fires. The military had already withdrawn from the city. The Arakan Army rebel group took command there. According to Rodehaver, she is responsible for at least four beheadings. The UN human rights office has called on Bangladesh to provide protection to refugees if they request it. He called on other countries to financially support the country in this task.
Civilians “like cannon fodder”
According to Rodehaver, civilians, especially the Rohingya, are being harassed and sometimes forcibly recruited by both the military and the Arakan Army, “like cannon fodder,” as he put it. The Muslim minority has no support in the multi-ethnic state. It is discriminated against by virtually all parts of the predominantly Buddhist population. More than a million Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh during previous waves of violence. There are probably only about 600,000 Rohingya left in Myanmar.
The Arakan Army is one of three main rebel groups that sparked a turnaround in the war against the military by merging last year. The military regained power in Myanmar in 2021, after about five years of civilian rule. According to Rodehaver, the army is in retreat on practically all fronts.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240524-99-148846/2 (dpa)