A total of 27 Rohingya organizations in a joint statement have provided an analysis of the “Naf River Massacre”, which occurred in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, on August 5.
The analysis is based on interviews and documentation of first-hand accounts from survivors and witnesses.
They said on August 5, at least 200 Rohingya civilians were killed in drone and artillery attacks in Maungdaw township, while seeking shelter on the banks of the Naf River, which borders Bangladesh.
Most victims of the Naf River Massacre were women and children who fled Maungdaw town due to intensifying attacks by the Arakan Army (AA) and Burmese military. With no other options, they crossed the river to Bangladesh.
Witnesses report that drones and artillery used in the attacks were launched from AA-controlled areas. This incident follows a pattern of similar drone strikes by the AA on Maungdaw and surrounding Rohingya villages, causing daily civilian casualties.
It also follows ground reports indicating that Rohingya civilians are being strategically targeted by the AA and the Myanmar military with atrocities, in addition to being indiscriminately caught in the crossfire of their armed conflict, the statement adds.
The organizations have condemned the attacks and said attacking thousands of civilians, including women and children, is an act that violates international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime and crimes against humanity.
The organizations questioned whether the weapons chosen for the Naf River Massacre raised questions about its indiscriminate nature.
They said drones are a type of unmanned aerial vehicle built to ensure heightened control and precision of their attacks. Regardless of their sophistication, drones allow for their operators to identify their target and, if necessary, adjust their position to prevent unnecessary attacks, prior to their launch. Moreover, it is important to note that the use of drones has been a hallmark of the AA’s operations in Rakhine State for the past months, disproportionately resulting in a wholly catastrophic and preventable loss of life of Rohingya civilians.
In Maungdaw township, Burmese military soldiers and militia members are reportedly hiding in urban areas near Border Guard Police bases, far from the Naf River. The AA's pattern of attacks and use of hate speech against Rohingya suggest a deliberate intent to target the Rohingya minority. These findings reinforce the belief that the AA knew exactly what and where their targets were.
Naf River Massacre pattern
The statement said the latest attack follows a pattern of similar drone strikes by the Arakan Army on urban wards of Maungdaw town and Rohingya villages in recent weeks, killing several Rohingya civilians.
Rohingya civilians in Maungdaw township are trapped by the intense fighting between the Arakan Army and Myanmar military. They are in urgent need of international protection and humanitarian assistance.
The Arakan Army set its sights on seizing Maungdaw township after a brutal campaign for control of neighbouring Buthidaung, which ended on May 18.
During this campaign, the Arakan Army carried out arson attacks on Rohingya homes and villages and killed more than 2,000 Rohingyas, as well as other gross human rights violations against Rohingya civilians, the joint statement adds.
The Arakan Army sought to blame airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar military for the fires, a claim which has been widely contested. Again, the Arakan Army has denied responsibility for the August 5 attack.
For decades, the Rohingya have endured violence and oppression from the Myanmar military. Recently, the military has used proxy criminal gangs—ARSA, ARA, and RSO—to abduct Rohingya refugees from camps in Bangladesh to fight in Maungdaw. These gangs do not represent or act on behalf of the Rohingya, and their actions are condemned in the strongest terms.
Demands made to Arakan Army:
- Halt human rights violations and atrocities against Rohingya and other ethnic and religious groups in Arakan or Rakhine.
- Stop indiscriminate and targeted attacks on Rohingya civilians, and end the use of hate speech such as "Bengali terrorist" and "Muslim terrorist," which fuels religious conflict and hatred.
- Take responsibility and allow UN-led independent investigations into these massacres, granting access to Rakhine to establish the facts and hold perpetrators accountable.
- Develop measures to prevent further violations against Rohingya and other minorities in Arakan.
- Ensure troops comply with the Geneva Conventions, international law, and human rights standards.
- Engage with the international community and provide immediate humanitarian access to all affected areas, including Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
Appeal to Rohingya community
Rohingya communities are urged to continue rejecting criminal gangs and individuals collaborating with the Myanmar military, and to work with all religious and ethnic groups in Rakhine State to establish a peaceful and prosperous Rakhine State and a federal democratic union in Myanmar.
Appeal to Bangladesh government
The statement urged the Bangladeshi government to urgently provide temporary shelter, food, and medical aid to newly arrived refugees and to rescue those kidnapped and harassed by local gangs on Laal Island.
It also called for the establishment of an emergency humanitarian corridor for aid from Bangladesh to areas of Rakhine State controlled by the Arakan Army.
Demands to International Community:
- Convene a UN Security Council emergency meeting to address violations of genocide prevention measures by the Myanmar military and Arakan Army.
- Apply maximum pressure on the Arakan Army and Myanmar military to cease hostilities and publicly condemn atrocities like the Naf River Massacre.
- Consider sanctions on the Arakan Army if severe human rights violations persist.
- Support Bangladesh in rescuing refugees from recent violence and provide essential protection and humanitarian aid.
- Provide immediate protection, healthcare, and mental health support to women, children, and the elderly affected by recent attacks.
- Collaborate with Bangladesh to establish an emergency humanitarian corridor into Arakan Army-controlled areas of Rakhine State.
- Support efforts to dismantle the Myanmar military, establish a federal democratic union, and implement measures against hate speech and incitement to violence.
The signatories include Arakan Rohingya Development Association - Australia, Arakan Rohingya National Organisation (ARNO), Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU) and others.
