UN voices deep concern over use of heavy weapons in Myanmar residential areas

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 12th March. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday told reporters in New York that the UN humanitarians are deeply concerned about the “indiscriminate use” of heavy weapons in residential areas of Myanmar’s Rakhine state during fighting between ruling junta and the rebel Arakan Army.

Mr. Dujarric said that the use of artillery was posing grave risks to civilians and costing civilian lives, as fighting intensifies between a raft of rebel groups across the country and the national army.

“On Saturday, a stray artillery shell landed in a residential area in the state capital Sittwe, killing at least eight Rohingya civilians and injuring 12 others, including five children”, he said.

UN said that it’s over 3 years since the military coup toppled the democratically-elected Government and after a violent crackdown on any opposition and protests.

Over 4,600 have been killed including hundreds of women and children, with the death toll likely much higher.

Rakhine is home to Muslim Rohingya minority, hundreds of thousands of whom have fled across the border into Bangladesh following brutal military repression in 2017.

“This is the second time in two weeks that a stray shell has killed people in Sittwe, Mr. Dujarric said.

He added that the situation has prompted a surge in displacement across the state. More than 300,000 people are now displaced.

Dujarric said the tactics used by the parties to the conflict are harming civilians and undermined humanitarians’ continued ability to deliver assistance to people in need.

“We remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, including aid workers,” he concluded.