Many Muslims Killed by Artillery Fire in Maungdaw
Border News Agency
Maungdaw, August 7
According to residents of Maungdaw, a large number of Muslims were killed by artillery fire on the evening of August 5. The Arakan Army (AA) has been engaged in a final assault to capture Maungdaw, and many of these Muslims were reported to have died from artillery shells near the banks of the Nat River and along the border areas while trying to flee to Bangladesh.
Most of the deceased Muslims were from Maungdaw Township, specifically from Maungni village, and they were attempting to escape to Bangladesh when they were struck by artillery fire. The AA was reportedly attacking a military council base at Maungni Channel Waking Station near the banks of the Nat River on that day.
One Muslim resident from Maungdaw City, Ward 1, told Border News Agency, “When they were crossing to the beach towards Bangladesh, they were hit by heavy artillery and died. No one can confirm who fired the shells. There are both soldiers and armed Muslims in the vicinity. It’s very chaotic.”
While estimates suggest that over a hundred people may have been killed, the exact number is not yet confirmed. The Arakan Army (AA) is accused of the shelling by Rohingya community groups, while the military council forces are also blamed by others.
The area where the shelling occurred is located between Maungni village and the Ward 1 entry/exit checkpoint, close to the Maungdaw Rohingya Sanctuary and nearer to the checkpoint.
Following the shelling, witnesses reported seeing military council troops and Rohingya armed militants at the Maungdaw Rohingya Sanctuary. Another Muslim resident from Maungdaw City, Ward 2, shared with Border News Agency, “Most of the deaths were caused by the artillery. Additionally, there were also deaths due to drowning while fleeing. The bodies are scattered around. Bodies being brought to the beach in Bangladesh include many children and women.”
Since the start of the Maungdaw city siege, the military council’s naval vessels have been providing artillery support from the Nat River, and the city’s border guards, based in Ward 5, have also been continuously firing artillery and mortar rounds, according to local residents.
In Maungdaw city, civilians, including Muslims, are trapped, and military council troops along with Rohingya armed militants are reportedly using civilians as human shields. The Arakan Army (AA) continues its assault to capture Maungdaw, and the fighting is concentrated around Ward 2’s basic education school. Military council troops and Rohingya armed militants are reportedly engaged in a defensive battle.
In the vicinity of the fighting, around the clock, military council forces and Rohingya armed militants have established significant positions, with the border guards of Ward 5 also providing artillery fire. Local residents claim that up to 5,000 Rohingya armed militants are involved in the fighting, with many of them using residential areas, schools, monasteries, and government offices as cover.
(Photos: Some of the Muslim women fleeing the conflict in Maungdaw Township/ Social Media)
