Arakan public urged not to celebrate upcoming Buddhist holidays

09 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 October 2024, Sittwe

Arakanese politicians have called on residents in Arakan State not to gather, organise or take part in celebrations during the Thadingyut holiday, which traditionally marks the unofficial end of Myanmar's monsoon season and falls from October 16-18 this year.

They called on residents to exercise vigilance as the regime has been targeting civilian populations, including residential areas, with indiscriminate air attacks in Arakan State and elsewhere in the country.

"The regime has been almost defeated in Arakan State, and it has therefore been targeting civilians to create instability. People should therefore avoid gatherings during the Thadingyut and Tazaungmone periods," said Arakanese politician U Pe Than.

People should exercise caution as the fighting between junta and Arakkha Army (AA) forces is not yet over in Arakan State, he added.

The regime has stepped up aerial bombardments of territories controlled by ethnic armed organisations since declaring the Brotherhood Alliance to be terrorist organisations last month.

The number of junta air attacks doubled in September in Arakan State, killing more than 80 civilians in massacres involving more than 10 civilians.

The regime has targeted more residential areas and displacement camps than military targets, according to residents.

On September 26, around 40 internally displaced people (IDPs) including children were killed or injured when the regime bombed the Thandwe town hall and the local office of the Department of Environmental Conservation, where displaced people were taking shelter.

One resident of Arakan State's Ponnagyun Township said: "People have seen that the regime has targeted civilians as it is losing the war. They must not think that the regime would not carry out inhuman acts on religiously significant days."

The AA has similarly advised the public not to organise celebrations or gatherings during the Thadingyut and Tazaungmone holidays due to potential junta air attacks over the period.