February 28, Rakhine

 

The Arakan Army warned of new conflict in the strife-torn Rakhine State if the junta continues to treat the Union League of Arakan and the Arakan Army as illegal organizations.

 

Khaing Thu Kha, a spokesperson for AA, told a press conference that fighting could break out anytime in Rakhine if the military council continues to call ULA and the AA as illegal organizations.

 

At present the junta has declared a ceasefire in Rakhine State, temporarily ending clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, the biggest ethnic armed group in Rakhine.

 

Khaing Thu Kha said soldiers are spreading false information in villages throughout Rakhine that ULA and AA are illegal organizations and dissuade them from supporting or joining them.

 

"The soldiers are going around the villages, telling not to associate or, support the ULA/AA since we are illegal organizations,” he said. “We are watching carefully. If the Burma Army continues to badmouth us, it could pave to the resumption of armed conflict.”

 

At the start of the year, the military have been going around the villages in Taungup, Thandwe and Maungdaw townships urging residents not to deal or give aid to ULA/AA.

 

The ongoing ceasefire is not a guarantee to peace. The military made a ceasefire agreement with the AA, but on the other hand, it is reinforcing its troops and increasing stockpiles of weapons and food supplies. The AA spokesman added.

 

He also said ULA/AA does not think that the fundamental problems of the Rakhine people can be solved through the election, so it chose to fight back with the guns. But it would depend on the decision of the ULA whether or not it would compete in the upcoming junta-sponsored elections.

 

Burma Associated Press