Vox Pop: Recent clash leaves Arakan State on edge 

By DMG 13 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
13 November, 2021, Maungdaw 

It had been about a year without hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) when the informal ceasefire appeared to crack on November 9, with the two sides clashing briefly in northern Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township. While tens of thousands of people internally displaced by the conflict (IDPs) have returned home since the fighting stopped in November 2020, many more remain displaced. By and large, they have viewed the relative peace of the past year with cautious optimism, but are still fearful of going back to their hometowns and villages for a variety of reasons. 

With military tensions in Arakan State higher than they have been in many months, DMG spoke to a variety of stakeholders in the state about what a resumption of the conflict might mean for themselves and the region. 

U Khaing Kaung San || Director || Wan Lark Rural Development Foundation 

Fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army is likely to continue. But a long-term conflict between the two sides will not be as feasible as it was in 2018-2019. The reason may be that the leaders of both the AA and the Myanmar military are in constant contact. Therefore, a long-term conflict between the two sides is impossible. 

Another [factor] is that the anti-regime groups called People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) are currently waging guerrilla warfare against the military in almost every part of Myanmar. As the People’s Defence Forces are carrying out guerrilla attacks on the Tatmadaw, it is unlikely that the Tatmadaw will launch a major offensive in Arakan State like in 2018-2019.  

If the Tatmadaw is fighting in Kayin State, it will make peace with the KIA [Kachin Independence Army] in Kachin State. If there is a big battle with the KIA in Kachin State, the Tatmadaw offers peace talks to Karen ethnic groups in Karen [Kayin] State. I think the military will continue to do so according to their strategy. The military will not launch offensive attacks on the Arakan Army in Arakan State like in the past due to the fighting on the Myanmar mainland.  

U Thar Tun Hla || Chairman || Arakan National Party (ANP) 

If the fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army intensifies in Arakan State, the people will suffer more. Currently, there is an informal ceasefire agreement between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military in Arakan State. This does not mean that the fighting has ended with an official agreement between the two sides. The cessation of hostilities does not mean that there will be no heavy fighting in Arakan State. If the fighting between the Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw reintensifies in Arakan State, the lives of the local people will be affected.

Local resident || Min Khamoung village, Maungdaw Township 

The villagers did not dare to go out because we heard heavy artillery fire in our village yesterday [November 9]. The locals are worried about the resumption of fighting in Maungdaw Township. Local people are worried that fighting will continue in Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships, like in previous years. If the fighting breaks out, we have no plans. If the fighting worsens, we will take refuge in Maungdaw [town]. We, the locals, do not want the fighting to continue. 

Daw Nyo Aye || Chairwoman || Rakhine Women’s Network 

We are concerned about the [recent] fighting in Arakan State. Local people in Arakan State are facing the risks of landmines although there is an informal ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army. There is also opposition from the authorities on the return of IDPs. In addition, there are many people who were arrested on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army.  

One of our concerns is that if the fighting continues, the people will be hurt. There is only one thing we want to say, as the Myanmar military has resumed fighting in Arakan State: Will the Myanmar military launch offensive attacks on the Arakan Army? If the fighting resumes, the people in Arakan State will be in trouble. 

U Thein Tun Oo || IDP || Nay Pu Khan displacement camp in Kyauktaw Township 

At one time we were suffering from the effects of armed conflict. If the fighting breaks out again, we have to worry more. The problems of [securing adequate] food and shelter could get worse. The IDPs are starving even now. If the fighting resumes in Arakan State, the IDPs will become helpless and we will not be able to look forward to the days when we will be able to return home. The IDPs are waiting in hopes that one day they will return home as fighting is over. The gunfire in Arakan State makes it impossible to think about the return of the IDPs. We hope the fighting will not happen again.