AA chief responds to allegations of Muslim rights abuses in Arakan

By Admin 11 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
11 May 2024, Sittwe

Arakkha Army (AA) chief Twan Mrat Naing has responded to criticisms regarding the Muslim issue in Arakan State, where the regime and the AA are locked in fierce fighting.

The AA chief on Friday posted photos on X (previously Twitter) of AA members assisting what appear to be Muslim civilians, responding to criticisms about alleged rights abuses against Muslims.

“Whereas self-righteous and self-opinionated vested interest activists and pontificating stooges are blowing hard, true heroes steadfastly remain committed to their course…..fearless, compassionate, dutiful and victorious. They are the true warriors and defenders of our fatherland,” reads the AA chief’s post.

After losing large swaths of territory to the AA in Arakan State, the regime has been working to stir up racial tensions in the area, which was battered by inter-communal conflicts in 2012 and 2017.

It has coerced Muslims in Sittwe, Buthidaung and Maungdaw towns into staging protests against the AA as it attempts to incite inter-communal conflicts between the Arakanese and Muslim communities.

It has also been forcibly conscripting Muslims in Arakan State and sending them to the frontline to fight the AA. Muslim conscripts have surrendered along with junta soldiers in the fighting, according to photos released by the AA.

Meanwhile, junta sympathisers and Muslim militants are spreading propaganda to create misunderstanding between the AA and Muslims, as well as between Arakan State’s Arakanese and Muslim communities.

Muslim armed groups based on the border such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, Arakan Rohingya Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organization are also attempting to weaponise the term ‘genocide’, said the AA.

The issue has recently come under the spotlight, with allegations of serious abuses against Muslim communities in Arakan State.

There used to be tensions between Arakanese and Muslim communities due to the strife in 2012 and 2017, but ties are improving thanks to the efforts of the AA, locals have told DMG.

Some Muslims have also joined the AA as they like the policies and actions of the AA. Many Muslims are cooperating with the AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, according to sources.