Junta conducts more weapon-tests in Rakhine

As the military tension between the military council and the Arakan Army (AA) is heightened in recent days, the junta has increased its weapon-test firings, said local sources.

At around 7 am on 21 July, Kyauk Taw-based number 9 operation command headquarters conducted many small arms test firings.

A Nagra village resident said that they could hear the sound of small arms firing. It took place at around 7 o'clock in the morning. 

The villagers nearby army headquarters are now worried after hearing the gun shots, he added.

Villages namely Nagra, Yoke Thar and Khong Doke are located near the Saka (9) where the weapons were tested.

They informed the nearby villagers that they would test fire with heavy weapons, but till now small weapons were being fired.

 Another villager also expressed his worriness over this kind of weapon test firings when both the junta and AA have joined in an informal ceasefire agreement.

 “Weapon testing should be avoided near the residential areas. That should have been conducted in the sea. Doing the activities near villages is nothing but the junta's intention to threaten the locals,” he asserted.

Incidentally most of villagers in those areas are now taking shelter in IDP camps in the city and a few villagers are only staying in their places for the farming activities.

Villagers under Min Bya township also heard the sound of heavy weapon firings along with small arms from number (9) military training school at around 7 am on 21 July.

A local resident of Mae lwun village reported that there were about 10 shots of heavy weapons along with the sound of small arms firing.

On 7 and 8 June, sounds of small arms firing were heard from number (9) military training school. The area was earlier raised by AA members in March 2020.

 Rakhine political analyst U Pe Than, a former member of the People's Hluttaw from Maebon township, said in an interview to Narinjara News that when there is a ceasefire with the understanding of the other side, the junta should have avoided this action which may destroy the mutual trust.

"If they lose trust in each other, the fighting will reappear. Frequent communications are needed from both sides.  If the path of discussions is expected, friction should be avoided. With no dialogue, then trust will be destroyed again," he added.

 United League of Arakan / Arakan Army (ULA/AA) information officer U Khaing Thukha also told Arakan Princess Media on 20 July that the military council had violated some points initially agreed upon for the temporary ceasefire in Rakhine State.

 Khaing Thukha also added that the junta courts continue sentencing many arrested individuals suspecting their involvement with the AA.

 Despite the informal ceasefire that began on 26 November last year, the junta reinforced its forces to make the military preparations more visible.

But to keep the mutual trust intact, the junta is expected to avoid any kind of weapon test-firing and other military preparation and strengthening, so that the ceasefire remains on track.