- Web Master
- September 29, 2024
The Arakha Army (AA) reiterated its commitment to
protect the civilians stranded in Buthidaung township of Rakhine State
irrespective of their religion or races.
"We will help and protect the innocent people,
regardless of their religion or races,” said U Khaing Thu Kha, spokesperson for
the AA, while responding to Narinjara News.
The junta forces and AA fighters have been
engaging in fierce clashes in Buthidaung locality, where many urban
houses are being torched and local residents remain trapped in their places.
"In the Maungdaw region of Buthidaung, the
military junta has been training and also arming terrorist organizations like
ARSA, ARA, etc and other radical Muslim groups. These groups, along with the
junta soldiers, are now engaged in looting and setting Rakhine families’ houses
on fire. This deliberate action is fuelling ethnic and religious tensions
between the Muslims and other religious communities,” stated U Khaing Thu Kha.
He pointed out that the Muslims, who seek peace, are
not associated with these actions. In fact, they are also affected by the
violence in Buthidaung locality. The AA will support and protect anyone
striving for a peaceful ambience, asserted the AA spokesperson.
A Hindu resident of Buthidaung stated that the
soldiers and junta-supported Muslim terrorist outfits have burnt down thousands
of houses belonging to Buddhist and Hindu families.
"The situation in Buthidaung is tense. Despite
the AA's siege on various towns, there are numerous junta soldiers, ARSA rebels
along with their affiliates, who remain active in the urban areas. During the
days of arson, both Rakhine and Hindu residences were deliberately targeted. On
the other hand, fire fighters were strategically placed to protect the nearby
Muslims owned houses. This kind of blatant discrimination targeting non-Muslim
residents of Buthidaung has complicated the crisis. There are many residents in
the town, who are now serving as house guards. With no safe shelters, we are
worried for our future. Safety and security remain our urgent priorities,”
added the resident.
Human rights activist Ro Nay San Lwin also stated that
the junta forces in Buthidaung locality continued working with the intention to
compel the Muslim residents to join their mission.
"The Muslims are asked to wear military uniforms
and then destroy Rakhine shops and houses. The junta has primarily two
objectives. First, use them as human shields and secondly create
conflicts between the Rakhine and Rohingya communities," he added.
Major general Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the
military junta, has however denied the allegation. The local residents refuted
the version of Zaw Min Tun saying he was not telling the truth.
"Every time the fascist junta attempts to conceal
their setbacks on the Rakhine war front, they launch politically charged
attacks against our organization (AA). Now they are gradually retreating and
hence fostering religious and ethnic tensions in the Rakhine region. We have
reports that the junta forces are actively training and arming radical Muslim
outfits like ARSA, ARA, etc in Buthidaung, Maungdaw regions,” asserted U Khaing
Thu Kha.