AA emphasises on harmony among ethnic groups, Some collaborate with junta for terror activities

Aye Myat Khaing/ Narinjara News, 15 May 2024

The Arakha Army (AA) is working to foster understanding and harmony among all groups of people in Rakhine State, but contrary to them some Muslims are collaborating with the military junta for engaging in terror activities.

On 9 May, the armed Muslims who received military training from the junta forces set more than 50 houses in Shwe Yin Aye (Rakhine) village near Maungdaw town on fire.

They filmed the burning of houses and later broadcast the video clippings.

A resident of Maungdaw reported that the armed Muslims consistently destroyed the houses belonging to non-Muslim residents in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships.

"In Maungdaw, many families fled due to the ethnic conflicts from their places. The rural Maungdaw witnesses arson and the urban areas see destruction of houses. Buthidaung residents face fire on different occasions,” added the resident.

AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha informed Narinjara News that around 5,000 houses were damaged in Buthidaung.

The junta soldiers have burnt down many houses in Buthidaung and Maungdaw. The AA has urged the local people to avoid expressing anger in such incidents so that the harmony between the Rakhine and Muslim people is not disturbed.

U Aung Kyaw Moe, deputy minister for human rights under the National Unity Government, wrote on his social media page that he strongly condemned the ARSA’s collaboration with the junta. He also criticized the military-trained Muslims, who even used military uniforms, for burning down Shwein Aye village under  Maungdaw.

However, he emphasized on differentiating the individuals collaborating with the military junta and the ordinary civilians.

Rakhine political analyst U Pe Than stated that the  junta is instigating conflicts to avoid necessary debates over their unethical control on Rakhine State.

"They are destabilizing politics and instigating conflicts between the two major ethnic groups. To cover up their military setbacks against the ULA/AA, the junta soldiers are encouraging conflicts among various ethnic groups. If the conflicts escalate, the international community will blame the AA," added U Pe Than.

U Khaing Thukha has already stated that the junta forces were  arming some Muslim militants to deliberately establish regional instability and violence.

Major general Zaw Min Tun,  spokesperson of the junta, however denied the allegation of supplying arms to Muslim militants. But the video files and photos of armed Muslims were appeared online for days.