On July 25, 2024, junta troops and affiliated militia members forcibly entered and looted the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) office in Bohmu Village, Myoma Kanyintan Ward, Maungdaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State. Around 70 armed individuals vandalized the office and stole medicines and office supplies, according to a security guard from Maungdaw Township. The Red Cross staff had already been evacuated in June due to escalating conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces in the region.
The violence and looting are part of a broader pattern of junta aggression in Arakan State. Similar incidents have been reported in Buthidaung, where junta troops have vandalized and burned NGO and INGO offices. Locals fear that without intervention, the junta will continue to destroy essential infrastructure and resources.
The AA’s offensive against the junta’s Military Operations Command No. 5 (MOC-5) in Maungdaw Town continues, with fierce fighting involving airstrikes and artillery fire. The conflict has led to the displacement of most residents, leaving only a few behind to guard their homes. The situation remains dire, with ongoing clashes between AA forces and junta troops, supported by fighters from the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
Recent reports indicate that junta troops have allegedly been selling looted items from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warehouse in Myoma Kanyintan Ward. The warehouse was broken into on June 28, and items such as food, flashlights, batteries, and cooking oil were stolen and later sold in local markets. ICRC officials have been barred from inspecting the warehouse following the burglary.
As the conflict intensifies, the junta has resorted to relocating troops and resources. On July 14, over 400 soldiers, police officers, and their families were moved from Thandwe Township to Yangon, along with significant funds withdrawn from the Myanma Economic Bank. This movement comes as the AA continues to capture key military positions in the region.
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