Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) strongly condemns the horrific bombing of Kyauk Ni Maw village in Ramre Island, which occurred around 1:30 pm on January 8, 2025. According to initial reports from people seeking shelter outside Arakan state, nearly 500 homes have been destroyed, and at least 42 civilians have been killed, with 50 others injured. The true extent of the casualties is feared to be much higher, as communication with the affected area has been severed and information is reaching the outside world with significant delays.
Kyauk Ni Maw has been under the control of the Arakan Army for the past year and serves as a major supply entry point for food and medicine, crucial to the survival of civilians in Arakan State. Kyauk Ni Maw is the only Kaman Muslim village surrounded by a predominantly Rakhine Buddhist population. With at least 4,000 households, the village has been home to the Kaman Muslim community for many centuries. The village holds a key strategic position with access to the sea, which may have made it a target for the military junta's ongoing efforts to control critical areas of the region. BHRN also noted that there is no ongoing fight in the area, despite that the junta has bombed the village.
“This attack is part of a larger pattern of the Burmese military junta using airstrikes to indiscriminately target civilian populations. Such actions constitute clear violations of international law, with disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks on non-combatants,” said U Kyaw Win, Executive Director of Burma Human Rights Network.
BHRN urgently calls on the international community to take immediate action to halt the ongoing atrocities committed by the junta. In particular, we urge the United Nations Security Council to implement concrete measures, including a ban on jet fuel supplies to the Burmese military, to curb these barbaric attacks. The failure of the UN Security Council to act decisively has allowed such egregious violations to continue unchecked, leading to the continued suffering and loss of life of innocent civilians in Burma. BHRN demands an end to the violence and the protection of civilians, as well as immediate international intervention to prevent further atrocities.
BHRN is based in London and operates across Burma/Myanmar working for human rights, minority rights and religious freedom in the country. BHRN has played a crucial role in advocating for human rights and religious freedom with politicians and world leaders.
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Kyaw Win
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Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)
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Ye Min
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BHRN's Press Release PDF File
