Myanmar military withdraws from Maungdaw Twsp outposts

By DMG 11 Aug 2022

DMG Newsroom
11 August 2022, Maungdaw 

Myanmar’s military has withdrawn from seven outposts in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township amid heightened military tensions with the Arakan Army (AA), the ethnic armed group’s spokesman U Khaing Thukha said at a press conference on Thursday. 

“It is not the case that we attacked and occupied junta outposts in Arakan State. They withdrew due to difficulties when we cut off supplies to each other due to rising tensions. The regime has withdrawn from around seven outposts in Maungdaw,” he said. 

“Skirmishes have continued in northern Maungdaw and Paletwa,” he added, referring to the neighbouring Chin State township. “There might have been skirmishes today.” 

The two sides clashed near the village of Sein Sin in the east of Paletwa Township on Wednesday, according to locals. 

“There is a military outpost on a hill near Thahtay Gon Hill. Junta troops fired shots from that hill at the village. We heard more than 100 gunshots and shells,” said a resident. 

There have been casualties during the fighting in Paletwa, said U Khaing Thukha. 

“Tensions and confrontation have emerged in Arakan State because the Myanmar military is oppressing our people as if Arakan State were a war zone,” he added. “It has arrested local residents, blocked humanitarian supplies, and restricted the supply of basic foodstuffs into Arakan, and we can’t accept those things. Tensions have risen as a result, finally resulting in armed confrontation.” 

U Khaing Thukha also warned that the AA would take action “as necessary” in response to the requirements of the revolution and public security, if the regime’s Arakan State administration continues to harm people in Arakan.