A/HRC/39/CRP.2
1220. The Mission has analysed satellite imagery and aerial photographs showing large
areas of cleared terrain across Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Rathedaung Townships, in
villages where the Rohingya lived prior to the “clearance operations”. Through this analysis,
the Mission has identified at least 78 villages across the three townships which, by March
2018, presented signs of demolition or other forms of terrain clearance. 2778 Of these 78
villages, 50 were totally destroyed, and 28 partially destroyed, by fire during the “clearance
operations”.
1221. Terrain clearance was visible from November 2017 in Maungdaw town and in the
Rohingya villages of Ho Kay Day Kone Nar and Zay Di in Kyauk Pan Du village tract,
Maungdaw Township.2779 It also took place in numerous villages in northern Maungdaw,
mainly around Laung Don and Kyein Chaung village tracts, from late 2017 and intensified
in January 2018 along the coast of southern Maungdaw. Terrain clearance was also visible
during this period in seven villages in Rathedaung Township and two in Buthidaung
Township, including in areas where the most serious incidents highlighted in this report took
place.2780 Terrain clearance activities across all three townships continued from January until
at least March 2018.2781
1222. While this large-scale terrain clearance occurred predominantly in areas that had
previously been burned, some structures that survived the earlier burning were also cleared.
This pattern was observed in settlements in the village tracts Chein Khar Li, War Char, Gaw
Du Thar Ra (Ywar Thit Kay), (Du) Chee Yar Tan, and Myin Hlut, all in Maungdaw
Township.2782
1223. Satellite image analysis of Myin Hlut and Gaw Du Tha Ra village tracts, Maungdaw
Township, shows widespread destruction through burning of structures by 16 September
2017. Further imagery analysis shows some structures remaining on 9 January 2018.
However, terrain clearance has removed all structures and vegetation from both locations by
13 February 2018.2783
2778
2779
2780
2781
2782
2783
Satellite imagery analysis prepared for the Mission by UNITAR-UNOSAT.
Ibid.
For example in Maung Nu (Buthidaung Township), Chut Pyin and Ah Htet Nan Yar (Rathedaung
Township).
After March 2018, the availability of clear satellite imagery diminished due to the increased presence
of thick haze and clouds. Nonetheless, a partially cloudy image collected on 9 April 2018 and
analysed by the Mission showed new signs of scorching affecting trees, vegetation and houses in
northern Maungdaw Township. The image shows 8 kilometres of damaged area from north-west to
south-east, between the villages of Kyaung Toe (Bauk Shu Hpweit/Aung Zan village tract) and Mi
Kyaung Chaung (Min Ga Lar Gi village tract). This is an area that was only slightly affected by
destruction at the beginning of September 2017 and it is now completely destroyed.
Satellite imagery analysis prepared for the Mission by UNITAR-UNOSAT; V-067.
Satellite imagery analysis prepared for the Mission by UNITAR-UNOSAT; V-194, V-195.
289