ALONG the grassy banks of the Naf river, tearful families wait with bags and bundles as they attempt to flee Myanmar into neighbouring Bangladesh. They are scared to return to their homes in the western state of Rakhine after Muslim militants attacked 30 police posts and a military base on August 25th. They fear the army will butcher Muslim Rohingyas in return.
Hostility to Rohingyas, a minority in largely Buddhist Myanmar, has repeatedly led to bloodshed in recent years. People of several faiths have died in the turmoil. The emergence of a new, sophisticated group of Rohingya militants is likely to exacerbate the violence. More than 100 people have been killed in just a few grisly days as troops have hunted for the insurgents.
The 1m Rohingyas who live in Rakhine have long suffered persecution. Most are denied citizenship and therefore have little access to education or health care. They are the world’s largest community of stateless people. Strict laws govern...Continue reading
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