Missing Rohingya During Ongoing Fighting in Maungdaw

The ongoing conflict in Maungdaw Township has led to a grave humanitarian crisis for the Rohingya community. On August 5th and 6th, the situation escalated as the Arakan Army (AA) launched full-scale attacks, employing heavy weapons and drone bombs, causing widespread panic among local Rohingya residents and those fleeing the war from nearby villages.

Reports indicate that the AA’s continuous assault with shock missiles forced thousands of Rohingya civilians to abandon their homes and shelters. In a desperate attempt to escape the violence, many tried to cross the Nat River into Bangladesh. Tragically, at least 200 Rohingya civilians lost their lives during these two days, either due to AA drone attacks or boat capsizing in the Nat River.

The situation remains dire, with at least 300 Rohingya civilians from Maungni, Shwezar, and Faizi villages reported missing. Eyewitnesses have confirmed that on the morning of August 7th, dozens of Rohingya bodies were discovered on both sides of the Nat River, underscoring the deadly impact of the ongoing conflict.

The number of civilian deaths continues to rise daily, with women and children making up the majority of the victims. The Rohingya community in Maungdaw is facing an unprecedented level of fear and uncertainty as AA drones indiscriminately target residential areas.

One Rohingya individual, who sought refuge in Maungdaw, shared a harrowing account: “There were about 12 families with us when we came to escape the war. We were together when the bombs started exploding, and everyone ran away. We haven’t seen them since. We heard they were trying to escape, but they never arrived. Their relatives are searching for them, but they remain missing.”

The Rohingya community is in distress as communication has become nearly impossible due to the continuous bombardment. Tens of thousands of Rohingya civilians have fled in fear, and the situation remains volatile.

Rohingya Vision News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Rohingya Vision News