U Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar’s President’s Office responded to the formation of ‘al-Qaeda in the Sub-continent’ by taking to his Facebook page on September 4.
Commenting on the September 3 release of a video featuring al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri describing the new branch as good news for Muslims living in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, U Zaw Htay said the announcement did not come as a surprise as the Myanmar government had a few years ago acknowledged the possibility of the nation becoming a terrorist target.
“'Precautionary measures have been taken by Tatmadaw and other security forces to specify check points and monitor infiltration of al-Qaeda terrorists,” said U Zaw Htay.
Rakhine State Government spokesperson, U Win Myaing told Mizzima on September 4, the state was making security a top priority and that they planned to release further details on their plans in a future television announcement.
U Hla Win of Myanmar’s Islamic Religious Affairs Council also reacted against the threat of terrorism with the nation’s borders.
“We won't accept such things,” he told Mizzima on September 4, “if we receive reliable news of terrorism then the Islamic Council would convene ameeting to denounce the terrorist act.”
