Tatmadaw pledges to ‘eliminate’ Arakan Army in Rakhine fighting

A statement by the military also accused the Arakan Army of having ties with illegal armed groups in Bangladesh.

“The Tatmadaw will eliminate Arakan Army rebels for the security of people’s life and property,” the military said. It also reported the death of a battalion commander shot by an insurgent sniper in fighting that it said began on December 28. The military said other troops were also killed and wounded but did not disclose numbers.

Colonel Nyo Tun Aung, an Arakan Army deputy chief of staff, told The Myanmar Times they were expecting a military offensive. He said the group would defend itself but would not make its own attacks. He denied links with armed groups in Bangladesh.

He said the fighting would have an impact on the peace process, with ethnic armed groups planning to take part in a first round of political dialogue with the government and the military in Nay Pyi Taw next week following the signing of the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement last October. “This can damage national reconciliation,” he said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)