The National Unity Government (NUG) has condemned thejunta's malicious strategies to escalate ethnic conflicts in RakhineState. 

"It has been found that the junta is engaged in acunning and devious plan to accelerate ethnic conflicts by fabricating protestsand manipulating the public perception. The junta is also falsely depictingMuslims as opponents to the Arakha Army (AA) in their offensive against theterrorist junta forces," said NUG in a statement issued on 21 April.

It also highlighted that the military regime ismanipulating the Muslims living in Rakhine State to stand against the AAfighters by joining the soldiers.

The Muslims have already received  militarytraining and weapons from the junta. Under the leadership of military rulersthere have been blatant acts of arson, demolition, violence against thecivilians and restriction on  international humanitarian aidorganizations in Buthidaung.

The NUG has strongly condemned the acts disrupting thepeaceful coexistence of people in the Rakhine region and urged the residents toovercome political tricks engineered by the military junta to stir up ethnicand religious conflicts. It also urged the people to maintain  inter-ethnic trust, respect andunderstanding.