Arakan Army releases 15 prisoners of war on humanitarian grounds

By DMG 15 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
15 November 2021, Ponnagyun 

The Arakan Army (AA) on Monday released 15 prisoners of war, who were captured during the ethnic armed group’s 2018-20 conflict with the military, on humanitarian grounds, according to AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha. 

The 15 prisoners of war were reportedly handed over to a Myanmar military contingent led by Major Zay Khaing Hein at a location between Taungpauk and Diparyon villages in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township. A captain was among the 15 prisoners of war released. 

“Those held captive for several years and those in critical need of medical treatment were freed on humanitarian grounds,” said U Khaing Thukha.

 The release was made in hopes of reciprocation for AA members and civilians arbitrarily detained by the Myanmar military, the AA spokesman indicated. 

“We have released all prisoners of war for the purpose of releasing some civilians and Arakan Army members,” he said. 

More than 200 people were arrested on suspicion of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army and charged under the Counter Terrorism Law during the two-year military-AA conflict in Arakan State. 

The military council has withdrawn some of the Arakan State cases prosecuted under the Counter-Terrorism Law since it removed the Arakan Army from its list of terrorist organisations on March 11 of this year. But several notable cases, such as that of more than 20 Lekka villagers sued with terrorism charges, have not yet been dropped by the Myanmar military. 

“If the Arakan Army does its duty, it would be best if the government and the military release the detainees as soon as possible to help bring peace to the Arakan people and the country,” said U Oo Hla Saw, an ex-MP in the Arakan State parliament representing Mrauk-U Township.