Arakan Army (AA) Spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha accused the Junta of instigating instability and unrest in Buthidaung Township Rakhine State, through various scurrilous tactics, and by inciting religious and ethnic conflict between Buddhists and Muslims.
He added that amid escalating military tensions in the region, the Junta is actively providing arms and training to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) to fight the AA.
"This type of action is very dangerous. The Junta is intentionally promoting chaos in the region, including stirring up ethnic and religious conflicts, by using dishonest political and military tactics”, U Khaing Thu Kha pointed out.
The Junta armed and trained certain Muslim militants, then stationed them in villages near Buthidaung, coercing them to chant anti-Rakhine slogans, he said.
He added that on April 11, the bodies of two young Rakhine men were discovered with their throats slit in Buthidaung, with suspicions pointing towards the involvement of the Junta and Muslim militants.
Due to concerns about the threat posed by the Junta troops and armed Muslim militants, most Rakhine residents in Buthidaung have already fled their homes.
U Khaing Thu Kha added, “The departure of most Buthidaung residents, has been exploited by Junta troops and Muslim extremists in loot and destroy abandoned houses. Some Hindus who remain trapped in the town, are facing threats of death from militants who prevent them from leaving.”
He noted that certain Muslim religious leaders and businessmen are aligning with the Junta for personal gain, and it appears that the Arsa extremists are also continuing in their collaboration with the Junta.
But he clarified, "We do not mean that all Muslims support the Junta. We hope honest Muslim leaders will uphold truth and guide the Muslim community," he said.
Most Rohingya people who survived the ethnic cleansing campaign of the Myanmar military in 2017 that drove over 750,000 to flee Rakhine State, never supported the Arsa extremist group.
U Khaing Thu Kha further emphasized that AA would safeguard innocent civilians and take decisive action against wrongdoers, remaining committed to its founding principles, and would not shy away from making bold decisions when necessary, during times of conflict.
Photo Caption: Muslims, compelled by Junta, protesting against AA in Buthidaung in March
