Muslim village in Buthidaung Twsp subjected to repeated, deadly junta artillery strikes

By Admin 30 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 December 2023, Buthidaung

Three villagers have been killed and eight others were injured by junta artillery strikes in Warchilar (Muslim) Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, since late November.

Buthidaung-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 565 was responsible for the deadly artillery strikes, according to villagers who accused the junta battalion of unprovoked agression toward the civilian population.

An 18-year-old man from Warchilar Village was seriously injured on Friday. 

“He was returning from a vegetable farm near the village. An artillery shell landed near him, and he was hit by shrapnel. He might need to have his arm amputated,” said a fellow Warchilar villager.

The victim was rushed to Buthidaung Hospital, and then transferred to Maungdaw Hospital.

An 11-year-old boy herding cows near Warchilar Village was also injured in a junta artillery strike on December 14.

Three Warchilar villagers were killed and six others injured when an artillery shell hit a pepper farm near the village on November 27.

Villagers said artillery shells have landed frequently near their village, prompting concerns about unexploded ordnance.

“Villagers dare not go to their farms because of the casualties. We have concerns for our safety as [the junta battalion] is shelling while there is no fighting,” said another Warchilar villager.

Civilian casualties from junta artillery strikes continue to rise in Buthidaung Township. Five Muslims were killed and four others were injured when shells fired by the regime hit Zedi Taung (Muslim) Village on December 28.

According to a DMG tally, 50 people have been killed and 167 others were injured in Arakan State, excluding Pauktaw town, and in Chin State’s Paletwa Township, from November 13 to December 29.