Fierce battles erupt in Rakhine State inside Tatmadaw’s four-month ceasefire period

By Khin Tharaphy Oo 30 Apr 2019

Khin Tharaphy Oo/ DMG
April 30, Sittwe

The Tatmadaw declared a unilateral ceasefire in four Commands from December 21 to April 30 and fierce battles broke out in Rakhine State within four months, AA’s spokesperson Khaing Thukha told the DMG.

Nearly 400 battles broke out in the region and more than 160 battles lasted more than 30 minutes and some 200 battles were under 30 minutes, Khaing Thukha said.

The AA defines a clash that goes on for more than 30 minutes as intense and conflicts less than 30 minutes as small. So, more than 60 intense battles broke out in Rakhine State within four months since late December.

“According to the history of the Myanmar Army, most battles were engaged in Rakhine State, battles occurred throughout the day and night. The Tatmadaw did not have such substantial rounds of clashes since Myanmar gained independence from British rule. The Tatmadaw set a record for bombing offenses for 24 hours,” Khaing Thukha said.

The Tatmadaw conducted offensive military operations in Rakhine State during its four-month cease fire period, he said.

“Battles broke out every day in the Western Command during these four months. The potential for new battles depends on the Tatmadaw. If they launch an offensive operation, we will be forced to retaliate against them,” the AA’s spokesperson said.

Regarding the remarks of the AA, the DMG contacted Colonel Zaw Min Tun and Brigadier General Win Zaw Oo for the Tatmadaw’s comment, but could not reach them.

As a result of the intense fighting, nearly 40,000 locals have been displaced and they are facing difficulties for living on a daily basis.

The Tatmadaw’s ceasefire declaration is expired on Tuesday (April 30) and the government’s Peace Commission met with four ethnic armed groups including the AA in Muse city in Shan State on May 30.

The meeting could not make an agreement, but the results were positive, the Mar Nagar Journal based in Shan State quoted interlocutors of the meeting.

Colonel Zaw Min Tun told media that the decision to extend ceasefire period depended on the result of the meeting.