Protesters try to block Rohingya aid

Myanmar protesters have thrown petrol bombs in a bid to stop Red Cross aid destined for Rohingya Muslims before being dispersed by police.

Desparation

Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, stretch for aid near Balukhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. Source: AP

Buddhist protesters in Myanmar have thrown petrol bombs to try to block a shipment of aid to Muslims in Rakhine state, where the UN has accused the military of ethnic cleansing.

Hundreds of protesters were involved in the attempt to stop Red Cross workers loading a boat with relief supplies.

The incident late on Wednesday reflected rising communal animosity and came as US President Donald Trump called for a quick end to the violence that has raised concern about Myanmar's transition from military rule.

The aid shipment was bound for the north of the Rakhine State where insurgent attacks on August 25 sparked a military backlash.

The violence has sent more than 420,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh but many remain in Myanmar, hiding in fear and without food, aid workers say.

Several hundred people tried to stop a boat being loaded with aid at a dock in the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe.

"People thought the aid was only for the Bengalis," state government secretary Tin Maung Swe told Reuters, using a term that Rohingya find offensive.

Protesters threw petrol bombs and about 200 police were forced to disperse them by shooting into the air, the government information office said.

Eight people were detained. None of the aid workers were hurt.

In another incident involving Red Cross, a truck carrying aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh veered of a road and fell into a ditch on Thursday, killing at least nine.

Tension between majority Buddhists and Rohingya has simmered for decades and the latest bout of bloodshed began in August when Rohingya insurgents attacked about 30 police posts and an army camp, killing about 12 people.

Myanmar's government says more than 400 people, most of them insurgents, have been killed since then.



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By Diala AlAzzeh
Source: AFP

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