Narinjara News, 3  June 2024

The United League of Arakan (ULA) claimed that  53 civilians, comprising 48 men and 5 women, were brutally killed by the military junta in Byine Phyu village under Sittwe township of Arakan State.

The ULA in a statement, issued  on 2 June, disclosed that on 29 May, a column of more than 170 soldiers, consisting of armed personnel from the regional operations command (ROC) in Sittwe, Pakokku-based 101st division, various other battalions along with the members of  Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and military trained Muslims entered Byine Phyu village.

They besieged the village and captured all residents, including the women and children.

Then they tied the hands of villagers behind their backs, tortured them and killed the villagers. They were even deprived of food and water for hours.

"Over  50 civilians among those arrested were killed and their bodies were hidden. Women were raped and thousands were held hostage. Valuable items like gold, silver, phones, and motorcycles were seized by the soldiers, while some houses were set ablaze. This heinous act will surely be remembered in the history of Arakan people as a brutal action committed by the military junta,” added the statement.

In response to the Byine Phyu village incident, severe retaliation awaits both the perpetrators, who ordered war crimes against innocent civilians, and those who carried out these orders, including divisions, battalions and all involved parties.