A spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government has denied accusations that army troops, along with their local allies, were responsible for killing 76 people in a village in the western state of Rakhine. The village of Byine Phyu has become a focal point for Myanmar’s nationwide civil war, where pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed forces are in conflict with the military rulers who took power after ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed organization, has been active in Rakhine and has gained control of multiple townships. They accused the military of perpetrating a massacre in Byine Phyu village. However, the military spokesperson denied these claims, stating that the troops were in the village to detain members of the Arakan Army and only shot three male suspects who attempted to seize a gun.
The ongoing violence in Rakhine has raised concerns about the potential for organized violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority, similar to the persecution they faced in 2017 when hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh. The recent incidents also highlight the complex dynamics between the military, ethnic armed groups, and minority populations in Myanmar.
The United Nations has expressed concern about the reports of new violence in Rakhine and the impact on Rohingya civilians. The situation remains volatile, with conflicting accounts of the events in Byine Phyu village and the broader implications for minority groups in the region. Verification of these claims is challenging due to restrictions on travel and access to the affected areas.
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