The government of the predominantly Buddhist country typically refers to the country's marginalised Rohingya Muslim minority people as Bengalis, viewing them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. More than 100 people, including 17 security officers, have been killed during subsequent clashes between security forces and Muslim insurgents. In recent months, security forces have discovered several terrorist training camps in northern Rakhine. Efforts to recruit and train Muslim villagers by the extremists have also been exposed, causing concern for the government over the possible spread of radicalisation among the populace. Nearly 60 civilian villagers, mostly Muslims who are reportedly close to the authorities, have been murdered in northern Rakhine, and at least 33 more have gone missing or been abducted since October.

Source: Bangkok Post August 25, 2017 08:03 UTC