Surrender or die, Brotherhood Alliance tells junta forces in Arakan State

By Admin 14 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 November 2023, Sittwe

The Brotherhood Alliance has issued a warning to junta soldiers and police of Myanmar’s military regime in Arakan State, urging them to surrender or be killed.

The tripartite military alliance made up of the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has been fighting the regime in northern Shan State since October 27 in an offensive known as Operation 1027.

The AA attacked junta positions in Arakan State on Monday as part of Operation 1027, shattering a nearly year-long ceasefire in the state.

In its warning issued on Tuesday, the ethnic alliance told junta personnel to contact their nearest AA bases immediately and surrender “if they don’t want to die and want to see their families and relatives.”

Clashes took place in at least five locations in Arakan State on Monday. The Brotherhood Alliance said it had seized the bodies of junta soldiers and police killed in the fighting, and weapons.

Some junta troops surrendered during the fighting, and some have contacted AA bases to surrender. They have been taken good care of, according to the alliance’s statement. 

Fighting took place in Rathedaung, Maungdaw and Minbya townships on Monday. Junta warships responded with bombardments at those places where the AA launched attacks. Some junta battalions also fired artillery, killing and wounding civilians, said the ethnic alliance.

Two were killed and three were injured in Mrauk-U, three were killed and two were injured in Kyauktaw, and one each was injured in Minbya and Maungdaw townships.

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways following the offensive. The Brotherhood Alliance has seized seven towns and some 150 junta positions in Shan State since the offensive was launched on October 27. The ethnic alliance has urged other revolutionary organisations to launch offensives against the regime in conjunction with Operation 1027.