AA accuses Muslim armed groups of recruiting for junta from Bangladesh refugee camps

By Admin 08 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 May 2024, Sittwe

Arakkha Army (AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha has accused the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) of recruiting young Muslims from refugee camps in Bangladesh for the military regime.

U Khaing Thukha said the military regime and Muslim terrorist groups are deceiving and recruiting young Muslim people, especially minors, for their own interests.

“The military regime and Muslim terrorist organisations are acting on the current political scene and recruiting young Muslims by lying; [it] is a very vile act, so the United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA) strongly condemns the organizations that are doing such actions,” he added.

The ULA/AA has stated that it is against any terrorist activities and has never had any affiliation or cooperation with terrorist organisations.

From April 29 to May 8, at least 500 Muslim refugees from a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh were taken by ARSA and RSO for military training, according to RFA.

“The military regime is working in a way to prevent the loss of military camps in the border area. Now, the military regime is approaching its partner organisations — ARSA, ARA and RSO — to forcibly recruit Muslims from refugee camps,” said one politician.

Fighting between the military and AA is intensifying in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. The military, in cooperation with ARSA, ARA and RSO, is responding to the AA’s attack using junta-trained Muslim militiamen.

A video clip released by the AA shows Muslims were also among hundreds of junta soldiers from the Buthidaung-based 15th Military Operations Command who recently surrendered to advancing AA forces.