More than 80 people have been killed in a wave of communal violence in western Myanmar this month, a government official said on Thursday. He said about 71 people had died in more than a week of clashes, in addition to 10 Muslims killed on June 3 by a Buddhist mob seeking revenge for the rape and murder of a local woman -- the apparent spark for the unrest. Rakhine state has been rocked by rioting, arson and a cycle of revenge attacks involving Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya, prompting growing international concern. Myanmar officials and many Burmese, including the mostly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine, consider the Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh, and refer to them as "Bengalis". The dead bodies of eight more ethnic Rakhine were found in the village of Yathedaung, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) from the state capital Sittwe, the official said. "These people were killed during clashes with Bengalis," he told AFP by telephone from Sittwe. About 800,000 Rohingya live in Myanmar, according to the United Nations, which describes them as one of the world's most persecuted minorities. Bangladesh, where an estimated 300,000 Rohingya live, has been turning back Rohingya boats arriving on its shores since the outbreak of the unrest. Rohingya leaders say the real number of dead could be much higher than the figures given by authorities.
GMT 18:06 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
10 migrants dead, dozens missing off Libya coastGMT 22:05 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
US says airstrike kills 2 militants in SomaliaGMT 18:56 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Philippines prohibits US firm call center from expanding after deadly fireGMT 17:03 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Severe storm batters western Europe; 1 dead, 15 injuredGMT 16:32 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Palestinian shot dead in West Bank clashes with Israeli army: ministryGMT 11:49 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Russian helicopter crashes in Syria, two dead: MoscowGMT 17:22 2017 Thursday ,28 December
10 hurt in Saint Petersburg supermarket bombingGMT 17:49 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Blast in Saint Petersburg injures four, say officials
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor