AA chief asks NUG not to speak ‘more than is necessary’ on Arakan issue

By Admin 05 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 June 2024, Sittwe

Arakkha Army (AA) chief Twan Mrat Naing has asked the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) to exercise discretion regarding the affairs of Arakan State as allegations have swirled for weeks over AA troops conduct in the course of the ethnic armed group’s conflict with Myanmar’s military regime.

In an interview with VOA, Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing said he recognised the NUG as the most important revolutionary organisation in Myanmar, but said it should not speak more than is necessary when it comes to domestic affairs in Arakan State.

Amid the expectations of an entire nation pinned on the NUG, the AA is not satisfied with some of its actions, the AA chief was quoted as saying.

“We accept the fact that it was inevitable for the NUG to speak up about the Arakan issue. But we hope it does not speak more than is necessary on certain issues. We recently sent a polite request [to the NUG] about it,” the AA chief was quoted as saying.

The NUG released a statement on May 21, expressing concerns about alleged human rights abuses against Muslim by both regime and AA forces in Buthidaung fighting.

Muslim rights activists, the NUG human rights minister, the United Nations and other organisations have given credence to allegations that the AA torched around 5,000 Muslim houses and killed about 100 Muslims in Buthidaung. They have expressed concerns for the affected Muslims, and have urged the AA to reveal the truth about the situation in Buthidaung.

AA chief Twan Mrat Naing has denied that his forces have been responsible for killing Muslims and burning their houses in Buthidaung. He said the AA had only issued an alert to residents to flee the town out of its belief that the security of people is the top priority in conflict zones.

The AA has forged alliance with the NUG, ethnic Chin, Palaung and Kokang revolutionary organisations, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, and revolutionary organisations in northern Shan State and central Myanmar, said the AA chief.

“We aim for a political status not inferior to confederation. We are fighting. Our objective has not changed. We will not ask it from others. We will fight as necessary, and rebuild later,” he said.

The AA has nearly 40,000 combat troops excluding thousands of auxiliary forces, said the AA chief.

In building a Union, Twan Mrat Naing said he prefers equal status over a particular group taking the helm. He also stressed the need to minimise external influence in solving domestic issues.

The AA has seized nine townships in Arakan State along with Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State, and has declared its ambition to take control of the remaining Maungdaw, Sittwe, Ann, Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Manaung and Gwa townships in Arakan. It has been attacking junta positions in Maungdaw, Ann and Thandwe townships in recent weeks.