Army completes ‘clearance operation’ which UN says has caused 69,000 people to flee to Bangladesh

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Myanmar’s military has ended a clearance operation in the country’s troubled Rakhine state, government officials said, ending a four-month sweep that the United Nations said may amount to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. Myanmar has denied almost all allegations of human rights abuses in northern Rakhine State, where many Rohingya live, and says a lawful counterinsurgency campaign has been under way since nine policemen were killed in attacks on security posts near the Bangladesh border on Oct. 9. Meanwhile, Aung San Suu Kyi herself, who is now Myanmar's elected civilian leader, has either remained silent on the worsening situation or - scandalously and unforgivably - participated in official denials issued from the military, charging critics with focusing on the "negative side". The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace,” newly appointed national security adviser Thaung Tun was quoted as saying in a statement released by state counsellor’s office late on Wednesday.
According to Myanmar's military, it has ended its "clearance operation" against the country's Rohingya minority in Rakhine State, which the United Nations says may amount to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.