Military Council Forces Destroy 12 Hospitals in Arakan Region, Report Says
Border News Agency
Maungdaw, November 15 – In the one-year period of the decisive battle in Arakan, military council forces have destroyed a total of 12 hospitals, according to a statement released by the Arakan Army (AA) on November 13.
Among the destroyed hospitals are three in the North U district, three in Maungdaw district, two in Minbya district, one in Than Dwe district, one in Mya Pyin district, one in Kyauk Taw district, and one in Ponnar Island district.
In addition to targeting hospitals, military council forces have also reportedly arrested some health workers, taken legal action against them, and carried out military interrogations, according to health workers in the region.
"Military forces specifically targeted and destroyed the hospitals, which has caused suffering for the civilians. The military, which should have been protecting these medical facilities, deliberately destroyed them. The international community has failed to take meaningful action," a health worker from Arakan told Border News Agency.
The military council forces have not only targeted hospitals but have also used medical clinics and hospitals as military bases, occupying them and using them for combat purposes. In some cases, they have looted medical supplies, destroyed equipment, and even killed or arrested healthcare workers, as well as filed legal charges against them, according to reports from health workers in the region.
The Maungdaw District People’s Hospital was also used as a military base by the council forces, and the Sap Thwa hospital in Gwa district was similarly occupied by military council troops, according to local residents.
On March 25 of the previous year, military council forces arrested Dr. Nu Khae Thi San and Dr. Aung Nain Lin, senior medical professionals from Maungdaw District People's Hospital, according to a document obtained by Border News Agency.
Additionally, health workers from the radiology department of Maungdaw District Hospital, including Yae Min and Ko Yae Min U, were reportedly captured and killed by military council forces and armed extremists masquerading as Rohingya militants in Maungdaw town in July, as reported by their family members.
"The military knows how important hospitals and clinics are for the people, and that's why they deliberately destroyed them. Health workers have been specifically targeted. They were treated as enemies and attacked as if they were part of an insurgent group," a health worker from Maungdaw district told Border News Agency.
The military has been targeting hospitals and clinics in towns and villages controlled by the Arakan Army, as well as those in military council-controlled areas. Because of this destruction, Arakan civilians have been left without access to timely medical treatment, leading to deaths and injuries, according to local reports.
On November 13, 2023, as part of the "1027 Offensive," the Arakan Army successfully attacked and captured a military council outpost on the Maungdaw-Agumaw road.
Since the beginning of the decisive conflict, the military has imposed blockades on all roads and waterways throughout Arakan, and has used airstrikes to target civilian areas, including towns, villages, and residential neighborhoods. As a result, many Arakan civilians have been killed or injured, according to local reports.
In addition to hospitals, the military council forces have also destroyed over 30 schools, 20 Buddhist monasteries, including a Christian church and two Islamic religious schools, according to a statement from the Arakan Army.
(Note: Video footage shows the Arakan Army providing medical treatment to military council personnel.)