'Gun fighting in northern Shan State may spread to Rakhine State'

The ongoing gun fighting across Myanmar, including northern Shan State, may spread to Rakhine State between the junta forces and Arakan Army (AA), said U Pe Than, a veteran Rakhine politician.

"The Rakhine war may return at any time. The fighting in northern Shan will be escalated to other areas. Moreover, the AA intentions and the military council’s attitude are really different. The fighting will happen one day," he added.

The northern alliance forces including the AA, Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Taeng National Liberation Army (TNLA) have been engaged in strategic offensives against the military personnel in northern Shan State since 27 October.

In addition to this, the gun fighting broke out in northern Shan localities, close to the China border, after the 1027 military operation started by three brotherhood alliances (AA, MNDAA and TNLA), said a joint statement of the arm organizations issued on 27 October.

As the AA members are fighting against the military council forces in northern Shan localities along with its allies, the military analysts believe that the war will spread to Rakhine as well.

Till date, several outposts along the Myanmar-China border, including those in Chin Shwe Hol, were already captured by the alliances ( KIA, AA, MNDAA and TNLA) after a series of heavy gun fighting.

"The second ceasefire in Rakhine State has already been completed. So I believe there will be a final battle," stated Pe Than.

The junta forces reached ceasefire agreements in Rakhine State with the AA twice (once in 2020 and another in 2022).

Now the junta forces are reinforcing weapons and test kits in Rakhine State with the intention of a war against the AA. So it should be necessary for the common people to be alert on the situation.

Between 6 am and 6 pm on 27 October, the 55th army in Ponna Kyunt locality, the border police forces in Kyauk Pandu area under Maungdaw township and a training school in  Taungup township fired heavy weapons.

A former member of the People's Hluttaw opined that the Rakhine military situation needs to be carefully monitored by the locals.

"Anything may happen. If a battle breaks out again, the common Rakhine will be severely affected. So we must be careful and prepared in advance,” he added.

U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the Arakan Army (AA) was contacted by Narinjara News for his views on the Rakhine military situation, but failed.