ALP ask for halt to AA’s battle for control of Maungdaw

By Admin 20 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 June 2024, Maungdaw

The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) led by Saw Mra Razar Lin issued a request on June 18 to halt the battles for control of northern Arakan State’s Maungdaw out of concern for the lives of the Arakanese people.

The ALP made the request after the Arakkha Army (AA) on June 16 issued a notice to residents to leave Maungdaw, Arakan State, as soon as possible, as the AA was preparing to attack the remaining junta camps in the border town.

Many Arakanese people are homeless and suffering due to the fighting, the ALP said, adding that the people of Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Ramree, Rathedaung and Buthidaung towns are also suffering from the battle for control of the towns.

The ALP is worried about the safety of local people as the AA has conveyed that it is preparing to attack the remaining junta camps in the border town of Maungdaw.

The ALP said the safety of Muslims living in Maungdaw, as well as the Arakanese, Hindu and Daingnet populations there, is important.

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 State. It has been attacking junta positions in Maungdaw, Ann, Thandwe, Taungup and Kyaukphyu townships in recent weeks.

Not all were convinced that the ALP request was issued in good faith.

“It is clear that the ALP does not have the same desire for liberation as the Arakanese people. The battles for control of towns in Arakan State, which the AA is currently waging, are quite worrying for the Sittwe-based ALP. So we see that the ALP has issued a statement to satisfy the regime,” said a youth in Ponnagyun Township.

The ALP opened its headquarters in the Arakan State capital Sittwe with the junta’s blessing. The ALP is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and is engaged in peace talks with the regime.