August 22, 2024

The Arakan Army (AA) has denied responsibility for the drone bombing that caused the deaths of many Rohingya refugees who were attempting to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh on August 5. In an initial investigation report, AA stated that its forces did not carry out any drone strikes in the area.

According to AA, they have not used drones or missile strikes in the conflict. The report counters accusations from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), which claimed that the AA was responsible for the attack on the fleeing refugees.

On August 5, as fighting intensified in the Maungdaw region, a group of Rohingya refugees attempting to cross the Naf River into Bangladesh was hit by a drone strike, resulting in numerous deaths. Survivors of the attack claimed that the AA was responsible for launching the deadly strike.

In a statement released on August 18, the AA responded, saying, “As the battle for Maungdaw continues, some international human rights figures are making unfounded and false accusations regarding the events. We warn that such misinformation could harm inter-ethnic harmony in the region.”