194 groups accuse military of using Muslims as human shields in Arakan fighting

By Admin 22 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
22 May 2024, Sittwe

Nearly 200 revolutionary forces and civil society organisations issued a statement on Wednesday calling for an immediate stop to the use of Muslim lives and images for political and military needs in Arakan State, where military tensions are escalating.

The statement by 194 groups said that the regime has continuously oppressed Muslims, tortured them and committed genocide, and is currently using them as soldiers and human shields by forcing them to join the military.

The statement said the regime aims to create misunderstanding and ethnic conflict between Arakanese and Muslims, by for example forcing Muslims to protest against the AA.

“The revolutionary forces and the public need to understand that the regime is working to create this kind of ethnic conflict,” the statement said.

The regime forced military-trained Muslims to torch over 200 homes in Buthidaung in April, the statement reads.

The revolutionary forces and civil groups also demanded that the AA take responsibility for social harmony among ethnic groups, including Muslims and Arakanese, in Arakan State.

“We all request that AA leaders meet with Muslim leaders as soon as possible,” the statement added.

“Muslim leaders should understand the regime’s actions by now. The regime is creating ethnic conflict completely openly. We should unite and revolutionise it and create a harmonious region together,” said an Arakanese politician.

The United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA) has previously accused Myanmar’s military regime and its allied Muslim armed organisations of inciting racial and religious hatred in Arakan State.

The ULA/AA in a statement on May 20 said the junta has been cooperating militarily with the Rohingya Solidarity Organization, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Arakan Rohingya Army, and has increasingly resorted to various ways and means of provoking racial and religious conflicts.