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| Southeast Asia |
| Dozens killed in fresh violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state |
| 2016-11-15 |
| [Dhaka Tribune] Myanmar’s Rakhine state was hit by fresh waves of violence over the weekend with more than 30 faceless myrmidons killed over two-days of fighting, the military said, as fears soar for the strife-torn region. Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Moslem Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month. Soldiers have killed scores and tossed in the calaboose Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try! many more in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya holy warriors with links to overseas Islamists. The crisis and reports of grave rights abuses being carried out in tandem with the security crackdown have piled international pressure on Myanmar’s new civilian government and raised questions about its ability to control the military. Days of apparent calm were shattered on Saturday when the army said six attackers and two soldiers were killed during a series of coordinated ambushes that were only beaten back with the help of helicopter gunships. The toll then jumped on Sunday following further festivities. In a statement Myanmar’s military said, Air Force helicopters opened fire on attackers in after two soldiers were killed in festivities with men armed with guns, knives and spears. Six other faceless myrmidons were killed during festivities elsewhere in the state on Sunday, the statement added. Authorities have heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse. |
| Posted by:Fred |