Ethnic violence in Burma's western state of Rakhine broke out after the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman on May 28, allegedly committed by three Muslim Rohingya men, causing a cycle of retaliatory attacks and insecurity in the region. According to the United Nations, nearly 80 people have been killed and 90,000 displaced due to the violence. While Burma is a vastly multi-ethnic state, Rohingya are often excluded and persecuted by Burmese society and pitted as outsiders.
Above, burned homes and property in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state. Raids have been carried out by both the Rohingya and Rakhine Burmese peoples.
Spike Johnson
