Myanmar: Government forces reportedly laying landmines near Bangladesh border /update 5

Event

Burmese military forces have reportedly been laying landmines over the past few days near the Bangladesh border in Rakhine state to prevent the return of fleeing Rohingya refugees, according to a statement made by Bangladeshi government officials on Wednesday, September 6. Myanmar military forces deny that any landmines were recently laid in the area.

Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counselor of Myanmar, blamed terrorists for spreading misinformation regarding the violence in Rakhine state. According to media reports, the government is negotiating with China and Russia to block UN Security Council resolutions condemning any Burmese government role in the violence. Expect increased numbers of Rohingya refugees to flee to Bangladesh in coming weeks as the violence continues.

Context

The Burmese army began a crackdown on the Rohingya community following a Rohingya militant attack on Burmese security forces on August 25. Since late August, the Burmese military and security forces have reportedly killed at least 400 Rohingya people, and instigated the exodus of nearly 150,000 more to Bangladesh.

The persecution of the Rohingya people in Myanmar has drawn international criticism for alleged human rights violations. The current clashes and ensuing government crackdown are the result of months of simmering violence and ethnic tensions between the Buddhist majority and Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.​

Human rights groups have accused the Burmese army of committing crimes against humanity, and possibly ethnic cleansing, during their crackdown operations, including rape, torture, the destruction thousands of homes, and killing civilians. The UN has established a fact-finding mission to investigate crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the military during the counteroffensive.

Advice

Individuals present in Myanmar are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid the Bangladeshi border where possible. Due to poor security conditions, some Western governments and Myanmar authorities advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Rakhine state - with the exception of the southern townships of Kyaukpyu, Ramree, Munaung, Toungup, Thandwe (including the tourist resort of Ngapali), and Gwa - and the Bangladeshi border.