Tension mounted as armed AA members enter downtown Maungdaw area

Narinjara News, 7 January 2023

The situation became little tense as the police on duty tried to prevent seven armed members of Arakan Army (AA) from entering the downtown area of Maungdaw township in the morning hours on Friday.

"Both the police and AA members pointed guns at each other. After 5 minutes of quarrels, the situation turned almost normal,” said a local witness.

The AA members entered into Maungdaw with weapons for the first time since the informal ceasefire was placed. Both the AA and the government signed an informal cease-fire agreement on 26 November 2022.

"The AA members arrived in front of Lucky guest house in Maungdaw township. They came in a car and were stopped by about 20 policemen,” said another local resident.

He added that as both the groups pointed guns at each other, the situation turned tense for the local villagers.

"It is no way a good gesture as both sides should respect the peace deal. Moreover the people should not be made scared. The military council representatives should understand it and avoid doing any unwanted act,” he added.

As the military council forces and AA members are trying their best to gain control over more areas in Rakhine State the situation may turn volatile again any time.

In Maungdaw, the authority has deployed a large number of army personnel turned border guards, but they are not capable of preventing the AA members from entering various localities, revealed a resident who wanted anonymity.

Since August 2022, both the forces were fighting fiercely in Rakhine State and finally with the intervention Japan’s Nippon Foundation president Mr Sasakawa, the ceasefire between the two sides came to exist temporarily.

ULA/AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha said in an online press conference held on 28 November that despite the temporary ceasefire a gunfight may break out at any moment.