Urgent Statement: Tragic Loss of Innocent Lives in Sittwe, Rakhine State
Yangon . 21 March 2024
It is with profound sadness that we address the recent wave of violence perpetrated by the AA Naro terrorist group (Arakan Army) in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Thirteen shootings carried out by the AA terrorists have resulted in the tragic deaths of 18 innocent civilians and left many others grievously wounded. Among the victims are individuals as young as a 12-year-old girl, as well as students preparing for their university entrance exams.
On the fateful night of March 16, 2025, at 1:30 am, gunfire erupted in the Factory group area of Konebaung Ward, Sittwe, originating from the nearby town of Pon Ner Kyune. This reprehensible act of violence has left a male and a female individual seriously injured, further deepening the anguish of the community.
The relentless campaign of terror waged by the AA terrorists in Rakhine State since November 13, 2923, has inflicted untold suffering upon the civilian population. Their indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians, schools, residences, and government buildings constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and are unequivocally condemned as war crimes under the Geneva Convention.
The people of Rakhine State, already grappling with numerous challenges, now find themselves confronted with the added burden of displacement, destruction, and loss of life. It is imperative that the international community comes together to denounce these heinous acts and hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes against humanity.
We call upon the relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the civilian population in Rakhine State. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time, and we stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of peace, justice, and stability.
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