AA is conducting operation to clean up terrorists in Buthidaung

Arakan Army is hunting down terrorist organizations in Buthidaung township on  Myanmar-Bangladesh border areas, said ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha.

Speaking to Narinjara News, he added that those terrorists have been committing crimes like kidnapping, extortion, murdering in many localities and hence the AA is conducting the clean up operation.

"In Buthidaung township,  our AA members are working together with help of  local residents to eliminate the criminal gangs and gangsters, who are involved with variuos crimes. We are blocking and searching the villages,  where these gangs are taking shelter. Other people need not to worry about the operation,” he added.

Even though Khaing Thukha did not mention any outfit’s name, it’s often reported that the  ARSA rebels are involved with criminal activities in Buthidaung Township since the last month.

Many local residents, who are  associated with the AA, have been harassed and some even killed by ARSA rebels.

Political observers believe that the provision of military training to ARSA rebels by the junta authority has worsened the situation.

Starting from 22 September, the  AA members continue conducting the searching and cleaning up operation against ARSA rebels in 10 Muslim villages under Buthidaung township. Those villages namely  Yaung Nyo Daung, Sein Nyin  Byar, Atwin Nget Thay,  U Hlafe, Say Owe Kya and Thein Daung are under the AA’s control.

ULA/AA is carefully monitoring the activities of the terror outfits in both Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

"We are also looking for individuals who have been supporting the terrorist group. But we assure that the local people need not to worry over the situation. We hope that they will cooperate with our members in the operation,”  he added.

A Muslim elder from Sein Nyin  Byar village informed  Narinjara News that the villagers are supporting the  AA initiative.

“The innocent villagers don't have to worry about it. They can go for works as they prefer,” he added.

On 9 September,  Marmat Rur Kur (a 60-year-old resident of Mi Kyung Kong Swe village under Buthidaung township) was abducted by ARSA rebels from his residence in the night hours.

Next day, his body was recovered from Ma Ung Nama mountain, which is near to the village.

U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, observed that the relationship between  Muslims and Rakhine people should be monitored carefully. The people should be cautious as the  ARSA  rebels are creating troubles with the religious sentiments among the Muslim residents, he added.