In a horrific series of attacks, 36 Rohingya civilians from nine families were massacred by the Arakan Army (AA) in Maung Ni Ward on August 4, 2024. Among the victims were women, children, and the elderly, who were trapped as AA troops surrounded their homes. Eyewitnesses report that there was no way to escape.
One woman’s chilling last message was, “Our house is surrounded by AA troops. We have no way to escape,” indicating the helplessness of those trapped inside.
This incident took place amid the broader conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar military in Maungdaw. According to the Mayu Region Human Rights Documentation Centre (MHRDC), both groups have repeatedly targeted Rohingya civilians since June 2024. MHRDC estimates that at least 500 Rohingya civilians have been killed in operations targeting villages and towns across Maungdaw.
The situation in Maung Ni Ward became particularly dire on August 4. At around 4 a.m., Arakan Army troops stormed the area, entering from the nearby village of Pantaw Pyin. According to MHRDC’s investigation, Rohingya homes in the southern part of Maung Ni Ward were surrounded and attacked, with rocket-propelled grenades and indiscriminate gunfire killing most of the residents.
An uncle of two of the victims said, “My sister and her husband were killed, and two children have also been killed, while the other two are injured.” He was one of the few who managed to escape the carnage, carrying the wounded children with him.
The survivors of this attack have provided harrowing accounts of being trapped in Maulvi Sha Alom’s two-story house, along with at least eight other families. Calls for help went unanswered as communication networks were down in the area, and efforts to contact the trapped individuals failed. By the time phone lines briefly reconnected, it was too late.
MHRDC has documented evidence of the massacre, including phone logs, eyewitness testimonies, and photographic proof of the victims. Despite repeated attempts to get a response from the Arakan Army, there has been no official explanation for this brutal attack.
An Urgent Call for Justice
The international community is being called upon to urgently investigate this tragedy. MHRDC has emphasized that this massacre is just one example of the increasing violence Rohingya civilians face in Maungdaw and surrounding areas. With both the Arakan Army and Myanmar military junta conducting coordinated assaults on civilian populations, the Rohingya are left without protection or escape routes.
As the conflict rages on, those responsible for the violence must be held accountable. MHRDC continues to document these crimes, hoping to shed light on the atrocities and advocate for the safety and rights of the Rohingya people.
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