The Arakan Army (AA) alleges that the Junta, in conjunction with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA),are smuggling drugs into Bangladesh. The AA  urges neighbouring countries to increase their vigilance.

"The terrorist Junta has been using groups such as ARSA and ARA to traffic drugs into Bangladesh for an extended period. This looming threat could jeopardize the security not only of Rakhine State and Myanmar but also of all neighboring nations in the region”, U Khaing Thu Kha, spokesperson for AA said.

Before U Khing Thu Kha made his accusations, on April 19, Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun blamed AA through Junta-affiliated newspapers, branding it as a drug-trafficking organization.

"The organization should be referred to as ADA, short for Arakan Drug Army, instead of AA. Its primary operation revolves around drug trafficking”, Zaw Min Tun said.

The Rohingya people have not forgotten the genocidal campaign waged against their communities during 2016- 7 forced over 700,000 to flee in terror to refugee camps in Bangladesh. Rohingya spokespeople  in common with the AA are not fooled by Junta propaganda.

U Aung Myaing, spokesperson of the Rohingya Political Consultative Force's Leading Action Group asked,” Is there any other institution in the world as harmful to the public, deceitful, and driven by unethical self-interest as the Junta?,” he shared on his social network.

"The Junta's accusation is purely hypocritical. As they continue to lose ground on the Rakhine State frontlines, they resort to defaming and attacking our organization with vile tactics to distract from their own setbacks”, U Khaing Thu Kha responded on April 21 through his Telegram channel.

"Is there any other institution in the world as harmful to the public, deceitful, and driven by unethical self-interest as the Junta?" - U Aung Myaing, spokesperson of the Rohingya Political Consultative Force's Leading Action Group, also shared on his social network.

AA alleges that the Junta has recently armed and trained Muslims in the Buthidaung and Maundaw areas, while also colluding with them to burn and destroy the homes of local residents.

"Junta troops often compel conscripted Rohingya youths to wear military uniforms and accompany them during arson attacks. After that, the Junta itself disseminates propaganda, falsely accusing these youths of leading the arson attacks, in an effort to exacerbate tensions between communities of diverse ethnicities and religions”, Ro Nay San Lwin, a prominent Rohingya rights activist also posted on Facebook on April 18.

According to a report from the Burma Affairs and Conflict Study (BACS) released on April 18, following the activation of the conscription law, the Junta enlisted over 2100 Pyu-Saw-Htee militiamen in 40 townships, with over 900 Rohingya victims forced to join their ranks.