The Burma Army (BA) is stepping up its presence in northern Rakhine State amid escalating tensions with the Arakan Army (AA) after several skirmishes this year that threaten to destabilise an informal ceasefire observed since just before the coup over a year ago.
In March 2021, the regime removed the political wing of AA, the United League of Arakan (ULA), from the list of terrorist organisations in the Southeast Asian nation.
According to locals, the regime has been setting up new checkpoints and sending troops through the towns of Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U since 12 April.
“'They have stationed at five locations in Mrauk-U Township, including at an intersection in Pauktaw Pyin, under the Tein Nyo Bridge, at an intersection between the highway and Oh Htein, at an intersection between Tawung Oo and Kyi Ra Pyin, and near Kyaukse Pyin,” a Mrauk-U resident told NMG, wishing to remain anonymous.
Another anonymous source said 30 additional BA soldiers have been deployed at Kyauktaw Railway Station, bringing the total to 40, and some armed forces have also taken up positions on a bridge in the town.
Locals fear major fighting will resume. Since the informal ceasefire, AA has captured more territory, forcing civilians to support its expansion and the BA has responded by sending troops, rations and weapons into the region.
“Although BA and AA have increased their presence in Rakhine State, they haven't launched a military operation against each other,” says the Mrauk-U man. He says BA has frequently inspected villages in in the area after clashes between the two sides in Maungdaw last month.
Another source, who also asked for his name to be kept confidential, told the NMG that BA visited wards and villages in Sittwe Township on 10 April to look for signs of AA troops.
On 13 April, the two forces briefly fought in Myebon Township.
The ULA organised events to celebrate Thingyan, the Burmese New Year, in northern Rakhine State, while most ethnic armed groups in Burma decided to boycott the regime-sanctioned holidays this year.
