Military asks Kyaukphyu administrators for info on AA governance efforts 

By DMG 25 Aug 2021

DMG Newsroom
25 August 2021, Sittwe 

The Tatmadaw summoned more than a dozen ward and village administrators from Kyaukphyu town in Arakan State on August 23, telling them to inform the military government regarding the activities of the Arakan Army (AA) and recent administrative initiatives of the ethnic armed group and its ULA political wing. 

Kyaukphyu-based Infantry Battalion No. 34 called these administrators and warned them, said an administrator who asked for anonymity due to security concerns. 

“Sixteen administrators from Kyaukphyu town were summoned to a meeting, and were warned to inform the military about what the AA is doing,” he said. 

AA information officer U Khaing Thukha said: “This warning is totally inappropriate because ULA/AA have been doing their best for the administration, judiciary, people’s security and Covid-19 prevention in Arakan State, with the aim to ensure justice, law enforcement and stability in the state.” 

The United League of Arakan (ULA/AA) issued an announcement on August 1, 2021, declaring the establishment of a parallel justice system to which people in the Arakan State could file complaints seeking legal redress. 

The administrators were summoned following the announcement.  

In Arakan State, fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army began in late 2018 and continued for about two years, but the two sides reached an informal ceasefire preceding the November 2020 general election that has endured to date. 

Local concerns note that tensions between the two sides appear to be rising and a resumption of fighting is feared. More than 100,000 people displaced (IDPs) by the previous fighting have yet to return home and remain in IDP camps.

In an interview with Arakkha Media on August 15, AA chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing said he had instructed commanders on ground to avoid fighting in Arakan State during the Covid-19 pandemic and monsoon season, when people are facing difficulties. 

The United League of Arakan (ULA) issued an initial Covid stay-at-home order from July 20 to August 4, extending it multiple times in the weeks since. Its most recent extension covered August 19-25.