Drone Attack on Rohingya Fleeing Myanmar Claims Dozens of Lives

A devastating drone attack on Rohingya individuals attempting to flee Myanmar has resulted in numerous casualties, including families with children. Witnesses reported that the assault occurred last Monday in Rakhine state, near the Bangladesh border, marking it as the deadliest known attack on civilians amid ongoing conflict between the military junta and rebel forces. Among the victims were a heavily pregnant woman and her two-year-old daughter, with survivors recounting harrowing scenes of identifying deceased and injured relatives amidst piles of bodies. Survivors described the chaos as drones targeted crowds waiting to cross into Bangladesh, with reports indicating that over 200 people may have died, although independent verification of the death toll remains elusive. Videos shared on social media depicted the aftermath, showing bodies scattered across the muddy ground alongside personal belongings. Witness Mohammed Eleyas, who lost his wife and daughter in the attack, recounted the terrifying experience, stating he heard multiple rounds of shelling and saw many relatives dead upon rising from the ground where he sought shelter. The Arakan Army, a local militia, has been accused of orchestrating the attack, a claim they have denied, while Myanmar’s military has also shifted blame. As the conflict escalates, Rohingya individuals continue to flee Rakhine state, where the Arakan Army has gained ground, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In a separate incident on the same day, reports emerged of boats carrying fleeing Rohingya capsizing in the Naf River, leading to further loss of life.