AA warns to open a battle front in Arakan State

23 Jul 2019

Phadu Tun Aung | DMG

July 23, Sittwe 

Because of the continued escalation of fighting in Arakan State, the Arakan Army (AA) has warned the Tatmadaw that they will expand the war zone if necessary.

AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha said the Tatmadaw was launching attack after attack to eradicate the AA, so the AA would open a “new war chapter” if necessary, in order to defend itself.

“We didn’t instigate the fighting in Ann before. Now, if it’s necessary we will take up arms, anytime, anywhere. This is a normal and this is why we will begin a new chapter in the ongoing struggle if need be,” he said.

On July 19, the fighting spread to Myebon Township for the first time when the AA attacked two military ships near Pauk Tu Taung village.

Major-General Tun Tun Nyi, deputy chairman of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team, responded that the situation will be more complicated if the AA opens a new war battle front.

“The reason that the military situation is getting harder in Arakan State is we are carrying out counterinsurgency campaigns against AA’s violent activities,” said Major-General Tun Tun Nyi.

The AA has said it believes that the conflict can only be resolved through political discussions and the group has been defending itself from one-sided attacks made by the Tatmadaw. It has been trying to meet and discuss the conflict with allied ethnic armed organizations.

AA released an announcement on July 18 saying that they were cooperating with the Kachin, Kokang and Ta’ang armed organizations to discuss a ceasefire agreement with the Tatmadaw and believed the negotiations would be successful soon.  

The Tatmadaw recognizes the AA’s existence only in Laiza, Kachin State, and the government marked Arakan State as white territory and said that they will take necessary security measures because armed groups are trying to establish a presence there.

The AA also said that they will settle in Arakan State, and Khaing Thukha told DMG that those disagreements had created difficulties to reach an initial bilateral agreement between the Tatmadaw and the AA.