Muslim-Buddhist fighting spreads to new areas
Wednesday 24 October 2012
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EmailClashes between Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar spread to two new areas, the government said today.
Firefighters were struggling to put out burning homes in Kyaukphyu and Myebon after fights between the mostly Muslim Rohingya and the mostly Buddhist Rakhine.
Fighting began in Minbyar and Mrauk-u on Sunday, leaving three dead and 1,000 homes burnt in the worst ethnic violenced since June.
Local official Myo Thant said: "Houses are burning and clashes are ongoing. The most important thing is to put out the fires."
The 800,000 Rohingya are denied citizenship or recognition as an ethnic minority in Myanmar despite having lived there for centuries.
They face discrimination as "foreign Muslims" who speak a dialect of Bengali.
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