Arakkha Army releasing ailing prisoners of war

By Admin 08 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
8 June 2024, Sittwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) has been releasing prisoners of war whose healthcare needs it cannot meet, the United League of Arakan/AA (ULA/AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha told a press conference on Saturday.

“We have released many prisoners of war. We didn’t report every release for the sake of their safety. Particularly we released unwell prisoners of war as we can’t provide comprehensive healthcare services,” said U Khaing Thukha.

The AA says it has in its custody thousands of prisoners of war, with some captured in fighting and others having surrendered. U Khaing Thukha said the AA is taking good care of them in line with international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war.

Brokered by China, the AA and the regime held talks in Kunming in May. At the meeting, the two sides discussed prisoners of war held by the AA but no agreement was reached as the regime reportedly views them as traitors.

U Khaing Thukha said: “[Junta peace negotiators] do not have a sense of comradeship. They responded fiercely and bitterly by calling the prisoners of war held by us cowards and traitors who deserve the death penalty under military law.”

The AA said it had also rescued prisoners detained in junta prisons and detention centres and escorted them to safety during clashes.

One Ponnagyun Township resident said: “We have to send rice to feed the prisoners of war. [The AA] also provided them with clothes and healthcare services.”

The AA has seized nine townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State. Maungdaw Township in northern Arakan State is also on the brink of falling into AA hands, and the ethnic armed group is attacking Thandwe and Ann townships with the aim of seizing them as well. It has said that it will soon launch an assault on Sittwe, and has urged residents to evacuate the Arakan State capital.