(reuters) -- A series of coordinated attacks by Rohingya insurgents on security forces in the north of Myanmar's Rakhine state on Friday and ensuing clashes triggered the exodus, while the government evacuated thousands of Rakhine Buddhists.

The IOM said it was difficult to estimate the number of people stranded in the no man's land at the border between the neighbours, but added there were "hundreds and hundreds" of people stuck there.

(File photo of Rohingya migrants)