Myanmar says 176 ethnic Rohingya villages now empty

Myanmar’s presidential spokesman Zaw Htay said residents fled from at least 34 other villages.

Myanmar’s presidential spokesman said 176 ethnic Rohingya villages are now empty after all of their residents fled during recent violence in Rakhine state.

Rohingya refugees arrive from Myanmar after crossing the Naf river in the Bangladeshi town of Teknaf on September 12, 2017. (AFP)

Zaw Htay said there had been a total of 471 Rohingya villages in three townships. He said in addition to the 176 that were abandoned, some residents fled from at least 34 other villages.

Zaw Htay did not use the name Rohingya.