Dozens more killed in Rakhine unrest

Myanmar's military said 28 insurgents were killed during renewed clashes in western Rakhine state yesterday following a palpable uptick in violence in the strife-torn region.

In a statement published online the military said 22 attackers armed with swords were killed near Dar Gyi Zar village after they charged at soldiers, adding another six insurgents were killed during clashes elsewhere in the state.

Northern Rakhine, which is home to the Muslim Rohingya minority and borders Bangladesh, has been under military lockdown ever since surprise raids on border posts left nine police dead last month.

Soldiers have killed several dozen people and arrested scores in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised Rohingya militants with links to overseas Islamists.

Meanwhile, new satellite images released by Human Rights Watch yesterday showed hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages have been torched.

Their analysis showed more than 400 buildings torched in three Rohingya villages where the fighting has been taking place. The group said active fires and burn scars showed that most of the destruction was caused by arson. The latest images were taken on 10 November.

Brad Adams, the group's Asia director, said the new photos showed "widespread destruction" that was "greater than we first thought".

"Burmese authorities should promptly establish a UN-assisted investigation as a first step toward ensuring justice and security for the victims," he said in a statement.