Arakan State increasingly a battlefield

By Admin 14 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2023, Sittwe

The theatre of combat has expanded into several Arakan State townships since renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) began on November 13.

Clashes between the military and AA are reported daily in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon and Ann townships in Arakan State, and in Chin State’s Paletwa Township.

The military clashed with the AA in Mrauk-U and Myebon on December 13 and fighting between the two sides was reported in Ann Township on December 12.

Political analysts say the latest round of sustained hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army is not like the others.

“This fighting is different from the previous one. The AA seized many junta bases and police outposts, pushing the military into a defensive situation. If the AA launches attacks on the military, the theatre of fighting would be expanded into several townships in Arakan State,” said a political observer in Arakan State.

The Arakan Army occupied four Border Guard Force (BGF) outposts within one month of the latest hostilities in Arakan State. The AA also seized over 40 BGF outposts and police stations abandoned by junta troops and two tactical command bases, the ethnic armed group has said in a statement.

With the expansion of the fighting in Arakan State, the number of people fleeing their homes continues to rise.

Having lost major military bases and strategic towns, the regime has carried out a series of targeted attacks on civilians by air, heavy weapons, and sea.

“If armed groups persist with their mistakes, only local populations will suffer the consequences,” the coup leader Min Aung Hlaing said recently. “So, they should have sympathy for civilians who are bearing the brunt of the fighting. [Armed groups] should not persist with their mistakes, and there is a need to find political solutions.”

“The regime, unable to retaliate in the face-to-face battles on the battlefield, continues to target and arrest civilians,” the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement on December 13.

Civilian casualties have been on the rise due to the junta’s artillery attacks and airstrikes in Arakan State. So far at least 26 people were killed and 113 others have been injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State’s Paletwa Township during the latest hostilities, according to a DMG tally.

Some 100 locals in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, and Thandwe townships have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began last month.

Thousands of IDPs and local people have been facing food shortages caused by the regime blockade of land and water routes to Arakan State since fighting flared anew on November 13.