August 7, 2024

In Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, an artillery shell hit a group of Rohingya refugees trying to flee to Bangladesh, resulting in approximately 200 deaths. Survivors have reported this tragic incident, stating that the shelling occurred amid ongoing clashes between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA).

The attack happened on August 5, as intense fighting in the Maungdaw area forced many Rohingya refugees to attempt crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh. Among the casualties were numerous women and children.

U Aung Kyaw Moe, the Deputy Minister of Human Rights for the National Unity Government (NUG), confirmed the incident to New Day Myanmar, stating, “They were trying to escape to Bangladesh when they were shelled. Some families lost almost everyone, with only one or two survivors, while others saw five members perish. Most of the victims were women and children.”

Survivors claimed that the shelling was carried out by the Arakan Army (AA). However, New Day Myanmar has not been able to independently verify whether the AA was indeed responsible for the attack.