Rakhine Daily, owned by the State Military Council, issued a threat to identify and arrest those connected with the Arakan Army (AA) in efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Rakhine State.
"Supporters and collaborators of the Arakan Army (AA), who initiated the conflict, as well as those who relied on AA and abused people, are currently being arrested. Please report any information about them," stated Rakhine Daily.
On November 13, as the Rakhine conflict unfolded, the Military Council arrested 46 Rakhine residents, alleging their association with the ULA/AA, and they are currently attempting to apprehend the remaining residents, according to the Three Brotherhood Alliance statement.
On the night of November 13, plainclothes Military Council soldiers arrested some local residents of Sittwe Township in a violent manner, according to family members.
"A group of armed men in civilian clothes arrived at my house at night. The ward administrator was not among them. Prior to entering the house, they fired two shots at the entrance. Subsequently, they entered the house, searching for me. Unable to find me, they proceeded to arrest my son-in-law," said U Aung Than Wai from Set Yone Su ward, Sittwe Township.
Family members said that Ko Lin Lin, U Aung Than Wai's son-in-law, makes a living by driving a three-wheeled vehicle.
On November 13, Military Council troops arrested four residents of Kyaukphyu Township, including a ward administrator, and eleven residents of Taungup were also detained.
"My father was arrested by Military Council troops while he was at home. I don't know why he was arrested, and I have no information about his current location. I have no way to contact him," said a family member of one of the detainees in Kyaukphyu Township.
Family members said that many of the individuals who were arrested had no affiliations with armed organizations.
During the 2022 resurgent war in Rakhine State, the Military Council arrested and prosecuted over 200 Rakhine residents on charges allegedly linked with the Arakan Army (AA).
"It is not a crime for the residents of Rakhine to show support for their local organization. Arresting them under the accusation of supporting the AA, especially when the people are not in favor of the Military Council, only fuels more hatred," expressed a resident from Rathedaung.
At present, there is intense conflict between the Military Council and the AA in Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Myebon, Minbya, Pauktaw, and Paletwa Township in Chin State.
In the ongoing resurgence of the Rakhine conflict, the Military Council troops, facing significant casualties from AA's offensive strikes, are indiscriminately launching artillery shells and small arms from their base camps into inhabited villages, causing innocent civilians to suffer injuries and fatalities.
