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Muslim Separatist Militants in Thailand Kill 6 Civilians Muslim Separatist Militants in Thailand Kill 6 Civilians
(35 minutes later)
BANGKOK — In the latest violence in a vicious low-intensity war in southern Thailand, Muslim separatist militants shot dead six civilians over the last 24 hours, the Thai military said on Wednesday.BANGKOK — In the latest violence in a vicious low-intensity war in southern Thailand, Muslim separatist militants shot dead six civilians over the last 24 hours, the Thai military said on Wednesday.
The dead, killed in six separate episodes, included two village chiefs, two Muslim civilians and a civilian militia member who was gunned down on his motorcycle with his wife in the southern provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat.The dead, killed in six separate episodes, included two village chiefs, two Muslim civilians and a civilian militia member who was gunned down on his motorcycle with his wife in the southern provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat.
The Pattani police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Thanongsak Wangsupa, told Agence France-Presse that he believed the attacks were in retaliation for a series of arrests of militants in recent days. He said eight more people had been arrested after the killings.The Pattani police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Thanongsak Wangsupa, told Agence France-Presse that he believed the attacks were in retaliation for a series of arrests of militants in recent days. He said eight more people had been arrested after the killings.
“This is the pattern that we have observed for many years,” said Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of the Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songhkla University. “This is the pattern that we have observed for many years,” said Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of the Center for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songkla University.
A cycle of retaliation begins, he said, as militants attack so-called soft targets like markets.A cycle of retaliation begins, he said, as militants attack so-called soft targets like markets.
More than 6,000 people have died on both sides of the conflict between ethnic Malay Muslims and ethnic Thai Buddhists since the killings began to escalate in 2004. Analysts like Professor Srisompob say they see “no solution to the tit-for-tat killings.”More than 6,000 people have died on both sides of the conflict between ethnic Malay Muslims and ethnic Thai Buddhists since the killings began to escalate in 2004. Analysts like Professor Srisompob say they see “no solution to the tit-for-tat killings.”
With peace talks leading nowhere, he said, “They remain in the same pattern.”With peace talks leading nowhere, he said, “They remain in the same pattern.”
The conflict grows out of Thailand’s annexation of heavily Muslim Malay provinces in the deep south of the country more than a century ago.The conflict grows out of Thailand’s annexation of heavily Muslim Malay provinces in the deep south of the country more than a century ago.
About six million of Thailand’s 67 million people are Muslim, most of them living in the five southernmost provinces.About six million of Thailand’s 67 million people are Muslim, most of them living in the five southernmost provinces.
They say that they have suffered discrimination in jobs and education, that they receive inadequate government assistance, and that their language and culture are being stifled and neglected.They say that they have suffered discrimination in jobs and education, that they receive inadequate government assistance, and that their language and culture are being stifled and neglected.
The latest insurgency broke out in 2004 after the government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra militarized the southern zone, taking a hard line that was met by stubborn resistance.The latest insurgency broke out in 2004 after the government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra militarized the southern zone, taking a hard line that was met by stubborn resistance.
Targeted killings by insurgents like those this week, along with more deadly bomb attacks in crowded places, have increased the death toll.Targeted killings by insurgents like those this week, along with more deadly bomb attacks in crowded places, have increased the death toll.
According to the rights group Human Rights Watch, separatists have killed at least 175 teachers in 11 years of insurgency, claiming they were representatives of the central government and Buddhist culture. They have continued to assault civilians in bomb attacks, roadside ambushes, drive-by shootings and assassinations.According to the rights group Human Rights Watch, separatists have killed at least 175 teachers in 11 years of insurgency, claiming they were representatives of the central government and Buddhist culture. They have continued to assault civilians in bomb attacks, roadside ambushes, drive-by shootings and assassinations.
In a strong statement after a series of bombings in August, Human Rights Watch said, “Such attacks are war crimes, but the apparent planning behind them suggests crimes against humanity.”In a strong statement after a series of bombings in August, Human Rights Watch said, “Such attacks are war crimes, but the apparent planning behind them suggests crimes against humanity.”
Thai security forces, for their part, have committed numerous illegal killings, torture and other abuses for which they have not been prosecuted.Thai security forces, for their part, have committed numerous illegal killings, torture and other abuses for which they have not been prosecuted.
As many as 90 percent of those killed have been civilians, both Muslim and Buddhist, the group said.As many as 90 percent of those killed have been civilians, both Muslim and Buddhist, the group said.