Arakkha Army (AA) chief Twan Mrat Naing has responded to criticisms regarding the Muslim issue in Arakan State, where the regime and the AA are locked in fierce fighting.

At least 15 people are dead and 27 others were injured after the regime bombed a Buddhist monastery in a Magway Region village where locals were meeting on May 9, Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) said in a statement.

Local people in Arakan State who have lost limbs due to landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) are struggling to make ends meet due to lack of assistance.

“They abducted young people purportedly for the AA. Some were snatched from their shelters, and some on the streets. We don’t know where they were taken. Some have reportedly been released after paying a ransom,” 

The Myanmar military has been destroying key bridges in Maungdaw District in a move believed intended to hamper Arakkha Army (AA) attacks.

It has been nearly two months since the Arakkha Army (AA) launched an offensive in Ann Township, where the Myanmar military’s Western Command headquarters is based.

Two Muslims were injured in a junta artillery strike on Gone Nar Village, Shwe Zarr Village- tract, in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, on Thursday night.

Fierce clashes between the military and AA were reported near Shwehlay, Kwaychaung and Hsuepotegon villages yesterday, with the military firing mortar shells into the scenes of fighting, according to local residents.

The junta attacked positions near Sanae market and the bus station with drones at least six times from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 9, a local man said.

Many displaced people in Arakan State have reported diarrhoea resulting from drinking unclean water. Coupled with serious shortages of medicines due to junta blockades and fighting, some cases have been fatal.

Myanmar’s military regime is planning to open basic education schools in Arakan State when the new academic year starts in June, according to education staff.

Among the internet blackouts, Sagaing Region tallied the most townships at 27, and Arakan State had the second most with 17 townships.

Junta soldiers from the Myo Thu Gyi Village-based No. 5 Border Guard Force headquarters and Muslim militiamen set fire to homes in Shweyinaye Village, said an eyewitness from Kanthayar Village.

The regime is heavily reinforcing its bases in Maungdaw Town amid Arakkha Army (AA) attacks targeting the frontier town on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

A civilian was reportedly killed after a mortar shell fired by a Myanmar Navy vessel landed and exploded on Gantgar Island in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, on Wednesday afternoon.

Fighting broke out between junta troops and the Arakkha Army (AA) on April 13 near Yay Sin Village in Thandwe. Clashes have since intensified, spreading across northern Thandwe.

Arakkha Army (AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha said the military regime and Muslim terrorist groups are deceiving and recruiting young Muslim people, especially minors, for their own interests.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing held talks via video conferencing with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen on Monday. Min Aung Hlaing talked about voting, junta media reported.

An elderly woman in her 60s was injured and two homes were damaged after junta troops fired six mortar shells into Thonesel Village, Nawnghkio Township, on April 27 and 28, the statement added.