AA reports increased attacks from junta-affiliated Muslims

By Admin 27 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
27 April 2024, Sittwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) has reported increased attacks on its forces by junta-allied Muslims including Muslim terrorist organisations and Muslim conscripts.

The AA said Muslim terrorist groups have been attacking it either separately or in cooperation with junta troops.

Nay San Lwin, co-founder of Free Rohingya Coalition, said: “The regime forcibly took Muslims for military training. They were armed and sent to the front line, and are also used as human shields.”

“We still can’t confirm that such organisations as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) are cooperating with the regime because those groups have not publicly announced it, and there is also no evidence so far. And those groups do not represent the entire Muslim people,” he added.

The AA has imposed a curfew in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships effective as of April 26, citing arson attacks and break-ins of the houses of non-Muslims in those townships.

One Buthidaung town resident said: “Only junta soldiers and their affiliated Muslims are left in the town. So, they can steal from any house they like. The regime has also supplied arms to them. So, civilians are concerned.”

Politicians say ARSA and ARA are collaborating with the regime to prevent the AA’s rising popularity in Buthidaung and Maungdaw.

“Some Muslims have cooperated with the regime hoping that they can get citizenship or some other rights from the regime. The AA is focused on restoring sovereignty, and it is exercising restraint to prevent the issue from growing into a racial conflict. It is working for conciliation. So, Muslim communities should demonstrate political prudence, and not cooperate with the regime,” said an observer.

Muslims have staged protests against the AA in Buthidaung and Sittwe towns, and Muslim communities have said they were coerced into doing so by the regime.

Fighting has been raging in Arakan State since November. The AA has seized eight townships in Arakan State, and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.