Narinjara, 13 May 2022

In Minbya of central  Rakhine State, the tension is heightened between theBurmese army personnel and Arakan Army (AA) members.

Presently, close surveillance on both sides continues and the troops are readyto face any unwanted incidents, said locals.

According to a resident, the security personnel went on patrol near Minbyapeople's hospital on 12 May in the morning hours and they even questioned someyouths later.

"In the morning hours,the military personnel took out a march around the hospital. Later in theafternoon, they searched some youths riding on the motorcycles,” added the resident.
At present, more than 30soldiers from the 379th battalion and some armed police personnel are beingstationed at Chin Kyaung near the hospital.
The AA members are understood to take their position near the Minbya busstation.

“It is reported that the security personnel may arrest the nationalistactivists and the AA battalion commander has been taking the position toconfront them," stated the eyewitness.

Some people also fled from their places as the militariesare suspected to interrogate and arrest the nationalist activists from the locality.

In some Rakhine townships, the military council has tightened its inspections.Many villages are being raided and some of the villagers were even arrested bythe military personnel.

General Tun Myat Naing, commander-in-chief of AA, warned the western commandchief Htin Latt Oo for the army movements including raids in several villagesand subsequent arrests of Rakhine people with the accusation of maintaininglinks with the group.
The AA and military council continue to engage in clashes  in Rakhine State, even though there is amutual understanding for ceasefire since the November 2020 national elections.