The Arakan Army (AA) said the Myanmar military has arrested 40 residents in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships amid ongoing military tensions with the ethnic armed group.
Among the detainees are eight people each from Mrauk-U and Ponnagyun, three from Kyauktaw and 21 from Sittwe, the AA said in a statement.
According to a list obtained by DMG, an administrator and a 100-household head from Anauk Sanpya ward in the Arakan State capital were also detained, bringing the total number of people arrested in Sittwe Township to 23.
“Arresting innocent people is a crime because it is violence against the people. Arresting such civilians is a crime under international law,” U Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, told DMG.
Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the military regime, and Colonel Kyaw Thura, Arakan State minister for security and border affairs, were not immediately available for comment. The military has not released any information on the civilian arrests.
Family members are worried about the safety of people recently arrested by the Myanmar military because they have not been allowed to meet the detainees, whose whereabouts remain unknown. U Pe Than, a former Lower House lawmaker, said Arakanese political parties should help provide information about the detainees.
“It is difficult for others to inquire about detainees, but I think it will be easy for party officials to investigate. Party officials should demand the release of detainees and the non-intimidation of civilians,” the veteran Arakanese politician added.
Tensions are running high between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Arakan State. The AA claimed that the arrests were made because the military was interfering in its administration and judiciary, and its members were being arrested.
At a press conference in May, a regime spokesman said the military is tolerating the Arakan Army for the sake of peace and the country, and told the ethnic armed group not to blame the military if anything bad happens in Arakan State due to the AA’s “provocative” acts.
Locals in Arakan State said the Myanmar military is targeting innocent civilians, causing panic and damage to their livelihoods. Therefore, U Pe Than said, the armed groups should fight each other instead of arresting civilians.
“The arrest and killing of armed men on both sides is not a problem,” he said. “Because the AA arrested military council soldiers, the Myanmar military arrested the people, which is a problem. The people should not be the land between the two armed groups. That is why I want to tell the armed forces not to put pressure on the people, not to oppress or threaten them.”
The regime’s second in command, Vice Senior General Soe Win, visited soldiers in Sittwe and Buthidaung on June 13, and said that the armed conflict in Arakan State had affected many local ethnic people and caused severe social and economic distress.
“We need to work with all ethnic peoples to prevent further armed conflict. The Tatmadaw is doing its utmost to maintain the peace, security, and prosperity of the people,” he was quoted as saying.
Vice Senior General Soe Win made the remarks during a visit to Arakan State, but only after the trip had concluded did civilian arrests increase alongside rising military tensions.
