Rakhine villagers flee Tatmadaw attacks
Rakhine residents in two northern townships say they are living in fear and do not dare go out after dark after government troops forced locals to work as porters during ongoing operations against Arakan Army militants.
Relief workers say more than 300 civilians, mostly Rakhine Buddhists, have fled their villages to the safety of monasteries following fighting from 28 December to 4 January. Late last week the Tatmadaw warned that it intended to “eliminate” the ethnic armed group, and is reported to have sent in reinforcements. But so far the expected offensive has not materialised.
