Monitoring of Arakan Conflict Update

Burmase version

November-13rd to December-31st Overview

Background

This report is a part of the 'Conflict Update Monitoring Report' from the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS), primarily focusing on conflict scenarios and civilian casualties. Its purpose is to document the state of civilian casualties resulting from armed conflicts, encompassing death, injury, and arrests of the civilian population while monitoring the trends and impacts of armed conflicts in Arakan. The report provides details on the number of civilian deaths, arrests, and injuries, along with their locations and causes.

The data collected for this report primarily relies on information from local media agencies and phone communications detailing on-the-ground situations. The report covers the period from November 13 to December 31, 2023.

Key Remarks

- The data reveals a stark gender disparity, with males constituting the majority of those affected in arrests, injuries, and deaths. This pattern suggests a specific targeting of the male population, warranting a closer examination of the motives behind such discriminatory practices.

- The age group under 18 emerges as the most vulnerable, experiencing the highest casualties. Moreover, individuals between 19 and 45 are primary targets for detention by junta forces. This highlights the vulnerability of the younger population, calling for urgent measures to protect the rights and safety of these individuals caught in the conflicts.

- The conflicts affect almost all ethnic and religious identities, emphasizing the widespread nature of the crisis. Rakhine and Rohingya communities, in particular, bear the brunt, underscoring the need for inclusive and comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of the tensions and to ensure the protection of all affected communities in the region.

Part-I: Total Number of Affected Population

In line with the CAS reporting, the total number of civilians affected in the lists of arrests, injuries, deaths, and disappearances is 764. Of this number, 493 people have been arrested, while 186 and 79 persons are recorded as injured and killed, respectively. Additionally, six persons are listed as ‘disappeared.’ In terms of gender, the male population is the most affected among all killed, injured, and arrested populations, as illustrated in the following graphs.

The age group under 18 experiences the highest number of casualties in the conflicts, with both young and middle-aged individuals, ranging from 19 to 45, being the primary targets for detention by the junta forces. Unconfirmed groups are documented from media sources without individual identification. The impact spans across almost all ethnic and religious identities, with Rakhine and Rohingya constituting the highest proportions of the total affected.

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