Arakkha Army dedicated to protecting regardless of race, religion: AA chief

By Admin 20 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 May 2024, Buthidaung

The Arakkha Army (AA) has seized Ramree, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Paletwa townships since launching an offensive in Arakan State in November.

After capturing Buthidaung, where the majority of the population is Muslim, AA chief Major-General Twan Mrat Naing wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the AA would protect all people, regardless of race or religion, in Arakan State.

“Kindly urge to not buy any distorted &misleading craps during this challenging time.Our dedicated Arrakkha soldiers are committed to protecting and serving everyone,regardless of their religious or ethnic background,” reads his May 18 post.

The post comes in apparent response to allegations of Muslim rights activists abroad that the AA torched the houses of Muslim residents and kicked them out of Buthidaung after the town fell on Saturday.

AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha told the BBC: “Junta soldiers and their allied Muslims who have fled the fighting in Buthidaung are still fully armed. So, we have told them to stay away.”

The fires were caused by junta airstrikes, and junta-affiliated Muslims spread false information to mislead people into thinking that fires were caused by the AA.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun.

“Some Muslims abroad are making money over Muslims living in Buthidaung,” said a Buthidaung resident who has fled the fighting. “As the Muslim issue is under the international spotlight, they try to make money by taking advantage of the situation. Some residents on the ground also try to complicate the situation.”

“[Muslim rights activists] did not speak their thumbs out when thousands of Arakanese houses were torched in Buthidaung. But, they only complained [about fires] after the town was seized by the AA. This shows that the accusations were politically motivated and Muslims are under the thumb of someone else.”

The AA is pursuing junta soldiers and Muslim conscripts, and Buthidaung Town is reportedly still in a state of chaos. Civilian casualties and the extent of damage to property in Buthidaung remains unknown, said residents.

The AA rescued 35 Muslim men and women including children from Kayu Chaung Village when it cleared Light Infantry Battalion No. 353, based in Buthidaung. The 35 men and women were reportedly locked up by the battalion and left to starve for three days.

The Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office of the United League of Arakan/AA said on May 13 that more than 7,000 Muslims from Buthidaung Township had taken shelter in the AA-controlled territory.

They fled their villages on May 8 following junta air and artillery strikes.