UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a strong condemnation of recent attacks by Myanmar's military, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians in the western Rakhine state and northern Sagaing region.
On Thursday, Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, released a statement highlighting the Secretary-General's concerns: "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Myanmar military that have reportedly killed scores of civilians, including in Rakhine State."
The conflict in Rakhine has intensified since November when the Arakan Army (AA) launched attacks on forces of the ruling junta, disrupting a ceasefire that had largely held since the military coup in 2021. The Arakan Army is seeking greater autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population and is also active in an area that is home to around 600,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority, who have faced severe persecution.
In recent developments, the Arakan Army reported that junta troops had carried out a raid on Byain Phyu village, located north of the state capital Sittwe, resulting in the deaths of over 70 Rakhine civilians. The military junta, however, has dismissed these claims as "propaganda."
The situation in Rakhine state is further complicated by significant communication barriers, as phone and internet services have been heavily restricted, making it difficult to verify information and coordinate humanitarian responses. These attacks and the ongoing conflict have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, drawing international condemnation and calls for immediate action to protect civilians and restore peace.
