May 17th, 2022
The Arakan Army (AA) issued a statement on May 15th warning that the fighting may resume at any time due to the prolonged military tension between the Myanmar army and the AA.
Fighting may resume. Because it is found that the military council is carrying out more military activities. Both sides don’t make an official ceasefire, U Aung Thaung Shwe, the former MP from Buthidaung Township said.
It is a ceasefire through the normal agreement. There will be intense fighting if it resumes. The issuance of the statement by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is a warning to the public to make necessary preparations.
The Myanmar army is carrying out the increased deployments of troops, the disruptions to the ULA’s judicial, taxation and administrative affairs and attempts to arrest and threaten the judicial staff.
The ULA/AA has warned the civilians to stay away from the military as fighting may resume.
Myanmar army is frequently disrupting the AA’s courts, making threats to those involved in the cases and attempting to destroy harmony between Arakan-Mulsim, the statement says.
Ko Ann Thar Gyi, Chair of Thingaha Kanlet Rakhita Social Association said: “Locals mainly suffer the consequences of the fighting. Fighting has resulted in the losses of the life and property of the public. There will be more losses and destruction if the fighting resumes in Arakan State.”
The AA’s statement highlighted the death of two civilians killed in the mine explosions in Ann and Minbya Townships. The AA accused that the civilians were killed after they stepped on the landmine planted by the Myanmar army.
There were frequent mine explosions after the stoppage of fighting in Arakan State, resulting in the casualties of locals. However, the AA did not release the statement about the mine explosions before.
Now the AA’s statement about the death of locals after stepping on the landmines planted by the Myanmar army is significant. This is a sign that fighting may resume at any time, according to the Arakan affairs observers.
Daw Nyo Aye, Chair of the Arakan Women Network said: “In my view, the AA has made concessions as much as it can. The military council needs to review it. It is common that there will be rebellion when the military oppresses an area. No need to speak of it. The people need to be cautious about it as they have to suffer the consequences.”
The AA’s Military Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing issued a warning to the commander of the western command in recent days. “Ko Htin Latt Oo, don’t go too far. You have been irritating. I won’t give a shit about peace. I will come to your place and crush it,” wrote the AA Chief on his Twitter.
The IDPs who bore the brunt of the two-year-long war are worried about the resumption of fighting in Arakan State.
U Thein Tun Oo from Nay Pu Khan IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township: “Currently, the IDPs are facing various difficulties including a shortage of food rations. The IDPs have to go to the forest to earn their living due to the shortage of rations at the IDP camp. The resumption of the fighting may worsen the IDP affairs. The IDPs cannot think about returning to their home.”
In November, 2020, the two-year-long war between the Myanmar army and the AA in Arakan State came to an end through mutual understanding.
The Myanmar army is doing the activities in the villages as the AA is implementing the judicial and administrative affairs during the ceasefire period.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).