Aye MyatKhaing/Narinjara News, 15 May 2024

The ArakhaArmy (AA) is working to foster understanding and harmony among all groups ofpeople in Rakhine State, but contrary to them some Muslims are collaboratingwith the military junta for engaging in terror activities.

On 9 May,the armed Muslims who received military training from the junta forces set morethan 50 houses in Shwe Yin Aye (Rakhine) village near Maungdaw town on fire.

They filmedthe burning of houses and later broadcast the video clippings.

A residentof Maungdaw reported that the armed Muslims consistently destroyed the housesbelonging to non-Muslim residents in Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships.

"InMaungdaw, many families fled due to the ethnic conflicts from their places. Therural Maungdaw witnesses arson and the urban areas see destruction of houses.Buthidaung residents face fire on different occasions,” added the resident.

AAspokesman U Khaing Thukha informed Narinjara News that around 5,000 houses weredamaged in Buthidaung.

The juntasoldiers have burnt down many houses in Buthidaung and Maungdaw. The AA hasurged the local people to avoid expressing anger in such incidents so that theharmony between the Rakhine and Muslim people is not disturbed.

U Aung KyawMoe, deputy minister for human rights under the National Unity Government,wrote on his social media page that he strongly condemned the ARSA’scollaboration with the junta. He also criticized the military-trained Muslims,who even used military uniforms, for burning down Shwein Aye village under Maungdaw.

However, heemphasized on differentiating the individuals collaborating with the militaryjunta and the ordinary civilians.

Rakhinepolitical analyst U Pe Than stated that the  junta is instigatingconflicts to avoid necessary debates over their unethical control on RakhineState.

"Theyare destabilizing politics and instigating conflicts between the two majorethnic groups. To cover up their military setbacks against the ULA/AA, thejunta soldiers are encouraging conflicts among various ethnic groups. If theconflicts escalate, the international community will blame the AA," addedU Pe Than.

U KhaingThukha has already stated that the junta forces were  arming some Muslimmilitants to deliberately establish regional instability and violence.

Majorgeneral Zaw Min Tun,  spokesperson of the junta, however denied theallegation of supplying arms to Muslim militants. But the video files andphotos of armed Muslims were appeared online for days.