UN fears at least 1,000 Rohingya Muslims slayed in Myanmar
Officials concerned that outside world does not appreciate severity of crisis

Two senior United Nations officials have reported that more than 1,000 Rohingya Muslims may have been killed in a Myanmar army crackdown – far worse than the number previously thought.
What is happening in Rakhine?
Around 70,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in recent months following an army crackdown north of Rakhine state, reports The Guardian. Myanmar's army began clearance operations of Rohingya from northern Rakhine during searches for insurgents thought to have masterminded deadly raids on police border posts in October. Violence, including gang rapes and mass murders, against the group is said to be so severe that it "could amount to crimes against humanity", says the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What have UN officials said?
Two officials from separate UN agencies based in Bangladesh have spoken out amid concern that there is a lack of international understanding about the severity of the crisis. Both say that evidence collected from refugees over the past four months suggests that the death toll is likely to have exceeded 1,000.
"The talk until now has been of hundreds of deaths. This is probably an underestimation – we could be looking at thousands," said one of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
What is the President saying?
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
A spokesman for President Htin Kyaw disputed the UN reports, claiming that his military commanders believe fewer than 100 people have been killed in the counterinsurgency operation, but added: "We have to check on the ground."
"The government led by Aung San Suu Kyi said last week it would investigate the allegations in the report. It has previously denied almost all accusations of killings, rapes and arson," says The Guardian. "But mounting evidence of atrocities by the army puts Suu Kyi, who has no control over the armed forces under a constitution written by the previous military government, in a difficult position."
-
King Bibi's profound changes to the Middle East
Feature Over three decades, Benjamin Netanyahu has profoundly changed both Israel and the Middle East.
-
Trump promotes an unproven Tylenol-autism link
Feature Trump gave baseless advice to pregnant women, claiming Tylenol causes autism in children
-
Trump: Demanding the prosecution of his political foes
Feature Trump orders Pam Bondi to ‘act fast’ and prosecute James Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Gaza genocide: will UN ruling change anything?
Today's Big Question Commission of inquiry’s findings ‘give unprecedented weight’ to genocide claims
-
Why ‘anti-Islam’ bikers are guarding Gaza aid sites
In The Spotlight Members of Infidels MC, who regard themselves as modern Crusaders, among private security guards at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon