Ghost Towns: Muslims Flee as Christian Militias Unleash Waves of Targeted Violence in the Central African Republic

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Muslim residents of the PK13 neighborhood near Bangui flee their homes with the help of French peacekeepers. They had been trapped for hours as local Christians and anti-balaka militias burned and looted their neighborhood. Throughout January 2014 and the first week of February, thousands of Muslim families from towns with sizable Muslim populations fled horrific anti-balaka attacks. January 22, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslim residents of the PK13 neighborhood near Bangui flee their homes with the help of French peacekeepers. They had been trapped for hours as local Christians and anti-balaka militias burned and looted their neighborhood. Throughout January 2014 and the first week of February, thousands of Muslim families from towns with sizable Muslim populations fled horrific anti-balaka attacks. January 22, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslim families trapped by violence in the PK13 neighborhood near Bangui pack their belongings as they prepare to flee their homes as local Christians and anti-balaka militias burn and loot their neighborhood. They were trapped for hours with other residents, including children, until French peacekeepers evacuated them one kilometer down the road to the PK12 Muslim neighborhood that had not yet been destroyed. January 22, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslims wait to be evacuated in the PK12 neighborhood after they fled attacks by anti-balaka forces. The minority Muslim population in the Central African Republic is being targeted by Christian anti-balaka militias in a relentless wave of coordinated violence that is forcing entire communities to leave the country. January 23, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslims wait to be evacuated in the PK12 neighborhood after they fled attacks by anti-balaka forces. The minority Muslim population in the Central African Republic is being targeted by Christian anti-balaka militias in a relentless wave of coordinated violence that is forcing entire communities to leave the country. January 23, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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The family of Christophe Yaole grieve at his funeral in Bossembélé after he was shot and killed by Chadian troops who were evacuating Muslims from towns that have fallen under the control of the anti-balaka. Three other people were wounded. February 6, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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A child stands in front of a wall peppered with bullet holes in Bossembélé after Chadian troops opened fire as they were evacuating Muslims from towns that have fallen under the control of anti-balaka . One man was killed and three other people were wounded. February 6, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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© 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslims flee Bangui with the assistance of Chadian special forces. In Bangui, anti-balaka fighters, armed with AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and grenades attacked numerous Muslim areas, forcing the population to flee. PK 12, PK13, Miskine, and Kilo 5 – all former Muslim strongholds in Bangui – are now ghost towns, devoid of Muslim residents. February 7, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslims flee the town of Bangui aided by Chadian special forces. February 7, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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Muslims flee Bangui with the assistance of Chadian special forces. In Bangui, anti-balaka fighters, armed with AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and grenades attacked numerous Muslim areas, forcing the population to flee. PK 12, PK13, Miskine, and Kilo 5 - all former Muslim strongholds in Bangui - are now ghost towns, devoid of Muslim residents. February 7, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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The body of a Muslim man who was beaten and had his throat slit lies next to the road in Bangui. He fell off of a truck as he was trying to flee Bangui and was lynched by Christian residents of the PK10 neighborhood. His left hand and foot were also cut off in the attack. February 7, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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The body of Senussi Djalle is burned after he was lynched by Christians in a revenge attack. February 9, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
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A woman mourns for her sister who was shot and killed by Muslims in a revenge attack in the Kilo 5 neighborhood in Bangui. February 9, 2014. © 2014 Marcus Bleasdale/VII for Human Rights Watch 428226
The minority Muslim population in the Central African Republic is being targeted in a relentless wave of coordinated violence that is forcing entire communities to leave the country. Throughout January 2014 and the first week of February, thousands of Muslim families from towns with sizable Muslim populations fled horrific anti-balaka attacks. Photographs by Marcus Bleasdale/VII
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