CNI News
7 Oct 2022
The military junta seems to be wary of establishing a stronghold by the United League of Arakan/Arakan on the Bangladesh border, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.
As the junta cannot allow the AA to establish a stronghold in the same way as the United Wa State Army did on the Chinese border, fighting between the two sides might intensify, he added.
He told the CNI, “Fighting between them might further intensify. The military may use its navy and air force and clashes may be fiercer. Both sides will not allow each other to get a foothold in the state. Rakhine people will suffer losses. As the Wa has established its headquarters on the Chinese border for more than 30 years, it is difficult for the military to fight them back. So, Nay Pyi Taw will not allow such a situation on the Bangladesh border and fighting between them will intensify. Eventually, the side which has more bargaining power will be able to do what it wants.”
IDPs in Rakhine State.
AA Chief-of-Staff Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing once said they want to achieve self-administrative status similar to Wa Self-Administered Zone in Shan State.
The ULA/AA is enjoying increasing public support in Rakhine State and armed clashes have broken out between the AA and the military junta.
Two-year long informal ceasefire between the AA and the junta collapsed last August and fighting has resumed in Rakhine State since then.
Lists of IDPs issued by the AA.
Armed clashes in the state have displaced local residents and more people will be displaced by fierce battles, Political Bureau Member U Tun Aung Kyaw of the Arakan National Party, told the CNI.
U Tun Aung Kyaw said, “Residents from many villages have fled because they fear for their lives especially in Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships. If fighting between them intensifies, the number of internally displaced persons will increase and they will suffer more troubles due to travel restrictions. They will have to live without shelter and food. We have already heard such reports.”
The number of IDPs in Rakhine State increased by 6,167 during the fighting in August and September due to fighting between the AA and the military, according to the AA.
