Narinjara News, February 28, 2023

During the resurgence of fighting in Rakhine state, theMilitary Council detained 594 Rakhine

civilians. Although 391 have been released, 203 remain indetention.

ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha said “ We are coordinating step by step tosecure the release of innocentcivilians who were arrested. However despite our efforts, there has been no progress in securing their release. Thetruth is that this matter should have been resolved by the beginning of this year.”

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has been innegotiations with the Military Councilfor their release for three months, but so far they have not been released.

On February 27th, U Khaing Thuka, the Information Officerfor the ULA/AA, addressed the ongoing detentionof Rakhine civilians during the organization’s 7th press conference. In spite of three months of negotiations between theULA/AA and the Military Council, the detained Rakhine civilians have not been released.

He added that , “Some of these people have been sentenced by theMyanmar military, some have beenheld in arbitrary detention after repeated trials, and some have beenprosecuted with

additional articles,” he said.

Thanks to the intervention and coordination efforts of Mr.Sasakawa, the chairman of the Nippon

Foundation and Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, acease-fire agreement has beenreached between the AA and the Military Council since November 26, 2022.

On the other hand, the military junta has been supplyingweapons, soldiers, and food from various townshipsto its bases every day since the cease-fire, Rakhine residents said.