CNI News
31 August 2022
Clashes could spill over the entire Rakhine State if the Tatmadaw and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army fail to hold talks, Rakhine politician U Pe Than told the CNI.
He added that as the Tatmadaw and the AA reached an understanding to stop fighting for mutual benefits but have never entered a formal agreement, clashes could break out anytime.
He told the CNI, “They gave warnings to each other. Maj-Gen. Zaw Min Tun once threatened the public by warning the AA not to blame them if clashes break out. The AA also told the public that fighting could happen anytime because their administrative and judicial mechanisms are being disturbed. Under such circumstances, fighting could resume. Clashes cannot be limited to only one location because townships are interconnected. If fighting breaks out in Mrak-U, clashes can spill over central and southern part of Rakhine State. If both sides cannot hold negotiations, war will escalate immediately and spill over the entire state and a large number of people will be in trouble.”
Paletwa residents displaced by fighting between the AA and the military.
The Tatmadaw and the AA resumed fighting in Paletwa (Chin State) and Maungdaw (Rakhine State) recently and clashes spilled over Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Mrak-U.
On 28th August, a heavy weapon round fell in Kinseik Village in Mrauk-U Township, killing three residents and injuring at least five others.
If it is impossible to hold negotiations between the Tatmadaw and the AA, fighting will escalate. So, residents of Rakhine State are required to careful when travelling and to dig bomb shelters, Secretary Ko Zaw Zaw Tun of the Rakhine Ethnic Congress told the CNI.
Tatmadaw personnel manning an outpost.
He said, “Clashes are likely if they cannot hold negotiations. So, the public, especially those who live in the countryside should be careful when travelling at night. They should keep their important documents close at hand and dig bomb shelters for possible airstrikes. Then, respective villages are required to be prepared for public safety such as shelters and emergency protection for pregnant women and children if clashes break out near the villages.”
Internally displaced persons in Rakhine State. (GETTY IMAGE)
There were more than 42,000 internally displaced persons due to previous clashes between the AA and the military and the number has increased to 50,000 due to recent tensions, he added.
Before the 2020 general elections, armed clashes between the AA and the military completely halted in Rakhine State and Chin State.
Although the two sides reached an understanding for a ceasefire, fighting resumed recently due to military tensions.
