According to U Khaing Thukha, the spokesman for the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), the Myanmar military is reportedly going from village to village, warning locals not to communicate with or support the ULA/AA. He has cautioned that these actions by the military could potentially escalate into war at any moment.

“ The Myanmar military has reportedly been going from one village to another in Toungok, Thandwe, and Maungdaw townships, warning locals not to communicate with or support the ULA/AA, while labeling the ULA/AA as illegal. Given that these actions are being systematically carried out , there is a risk that they may lead to a return to the battlefield at any time,”  he said.

U Khaing Thukha spoke about the military situation in Rakhine at the ULA/AA’s seventh press conference held via Zoom on February 27.

He added “Despite the current silence of guns in Rakhine, we cannot say that the situation is fully calm and stable.Although the Myanmar military has announced a ceasefire, on the other hand, they are also actively working to increase their strength in terms of people, weapons, and food. Although there is a ceasefire in Rakhine, the people are still suffering restrictions on their daily life.”

U Khaing Thukha said that if the Military Council persists in their negative actions, it can trigger a return to the battlefield.

He warned that “If the Myanmar military continues to behave badly, we can return to warfare at any time,” he said.

In Rakhine, the Arakan Army (AA) and the Military Council troops have been fighting fiercely in 2022.

Thanks to the intervention and coordination efforts of Mr. Sasakawa, the chairman of the Nippon Foundation and Japan’s special envoy for national reconciliation in Myanmar, a cease-fire agreement has been reached between the two sides since November 26, 2022.

During the current period of ceasefire, ULA/AA has been focusing on increasing administration and justice, as well as releasing local citizens who were previously arrested by the Military Council.