'Maungdaw Muslims feel safe in AA-controlled areas’

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 29 August 2024

Local Muslims in Maungdaw township of Arakan State reveal that they feel safe in the areas under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).

A local Muslim said that they feel completely safe there. Under the junta’s rule, they were robbed by junta forces, ARSA, RSO and ARA rebels, and many were kidnapped and also killed. Now, none of that happens in the AA-controlled areas, he added.

"We were extorted in various ways by the junta forces along with border guard personnel and the police forces. The court functioned a little. Now under the AA rule, we are free from all those hardships imposed by the junta," added the Muslim man.

Recently, the  AA fighters  rescued over 20,000 people who were trapped inside Maungdaw following the conflicts and many of them were used as human shields.

The humanitarian and development coordination office (HDCO), established by the ULA/AA, is now providing shelter, food, medical care and also educational support to those individuals.

"The AA provided each IDP with rice, one liter of edible oil and tarpaulin-shelters for their families. I respect the AA’s ability to provide support during the time of conflicts. We are very grateful for this. Otherwise, the international organizations, including ICRC and WFP, were  unable to support us,” said a Muslim IDP.

The Maungdaw Muslims also clarified that some exiled Muslims and human rights hypocrites were spreading news that the AA members were terrorizing and killing Muslims in their place, which is baseless.

The AA provides assistance to all people in the Arakan region regardless of their race, religion or status.

The opportunity for all ethnic groups to participate in the local governance led to a greater harmony and mutual understanding in the AA-controlled areas.

Photograph: ULA/AA provided  medical care to residents of La Baw Zar, Aung Zeya (Arakanese), Ah Lel Than Kyaw (Arakanese) and Paung Zar (Muslim) villages under Maungdaw locality on 24 August.