Turkey 'concerned' about Myanmar violence

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

Turkey is highly concerned about violence in Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag stated on Monday.

On his Twitter account, Bozdag expressed “sorrow and concern” felt in Turkey for Rohingya Muslims.

"We feel deep sorrow and concern for the violence, deaths and the injured [in Myanmar],” Bozdag wrote.

Bozdag also urged the international community to take action on the situation in Myanmar.

“The UN, UNSC and international community should not remain silent against these genocide-reminiscent massacres,” Bozdag added.

Deadly attacks on border posts in western Myanmar's Rakhine state broke out on Friday, resulting in mass civilian casualties.

Later, media reports emerged saying Myanmar security forces used disproportionate force and displaced thousands of Rohingya villagers, destroying homes with mortars and machine guns.

The region has seen simmering tension between its Buddhist and Muslim populations since communal violence broke out in 2012.

A security clampdown launched in October last year in Maungdaw, where Rohingya form the majority, led to a UN report on human rights violations by security forces that indicated crimes against humanity had taken place.

The UN documented mass gang-rape, killings -- including those of babies and young children -- brutal beatings and disappearances. Rohingya representatives have said approximately 400 people were slain during the operation.