United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has had a telephone conversation with Myanmar’s military chief to express his country’s concern about the atrocities committed by the security forces in Rakhine that has forced more than 6 lakh Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh since August 25.

Urging to end the violence, Tillerson, on Thursday, asked the military chief, a very powerful figure in Myanmar politics, to ensure safe return of Rohingyas to their homes in line with the joint statement with Bangladesh without further conditions. “Secretary Tillerson spoke by phone with Burma's Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on October 26 to express concern about the continuing humanitarian crisis and reported atrocities in Rakhine State,” said a readout issued by spokesperson of State Department Heather Nauert on Thursday. “The Secretary urged Burma's security forces to support the government in ending the violence in Rakhine State and allowing the safe return home of those displaced during this crisis, especially the large numbers of ethnic Rohingya, in accordance with the 1992 Joint Statement with Bangladesh and without further conditions,” it said.

“At the same time, he urged the military to facilitate humanitarian aid for displaced people in affected areas, allow media access, and cooperate with the United Nations to ensure a thorough, independent investigation into all allegations of human rights abuses and violations and to ensure accountability,” said the readout forwarded by the US State Department yesterday. Secretary Tillerson also condemned the August 25 deadly attacks by militants on security forces in RakhineState, it said.