Junta looks to drive wedge between AA and Arakanese people

By Admin 04 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 December 2023, Sittwe

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun has sought to sow discord between local people in Arakan State and the Arakan Army (AA), blaming the ethnic Arakanese armed group for hardships local people are suffering.

The junta spokesman told its mouthpiece broadcaster on Sunday: “Fighting is taking place in some townships in Rakhine [Arakan] State. They seized police stations, and carried out operations in towns and villages by deliberately firing shots [at residential areas]. The AA has never done anything good [for  Arakanese people], and I would like to urge [Arakanese people] to carefully consider if it is true that they are really working for Arakanese people and the liberation of Arakan State, as they claim.”

The junta spokesman accused the AA of stealing nine vehicles owned by junta departments since the fighting broke out on November 13. The fact that the AA has taken those vehicles and is using them for its own interests is a direct insult to Arakanese people, said Zaw Min Tun.

DMG was unable to reach AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha for comment on Zaw Min Tun’s remarks. 

A social activist from Mrauk-U town said the AA, which enjoys “full support” among Arakanese people, has the right to use those vehicles bought with taxes paid by Arakanese people.

“The AA has formed a people’s administration in Arakan State. It might have taken those vehicles to use where necessary for Arakanese people. It is natural that its enemy does not like it,” said the activist.

The AA and its political wing, the United League of Arakan, were established on April 10, 2009, seeking self-determination for the Arakanese people. It has clashed on and off, oftentimes fiercely, with the Myanmar military since late 2018.

Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said: “The AA has demonstrated its combat ability in 2019. Its size has also doubled since. So, I believe the AA would be able to serve the Arakanese people.”

The AA has consolidated its control over large swaths of Arakan State since last year, establishing a parallel government complete with police and a courts system.

The Brotherhood Alliance, a tripartite ethnic military alliance that includes the AA, has been fighting the regime in northern Shan State, Arakan State and other parts of the country. The regime has lost several towns and junta outposts since the alliance launched Operation 1027 on October 27.