The guns have fallen silent in western Rakhine State, at least for the moment, but the Tatmadaw has rejected an offer of dialogue from Arakan Army (AA) insurgents.
“The refugee numbers aren’t rising lately. We assume the situation in Kyauktaw is calm,” said U Wai Hun Aung, a member of Wan Lark Foundation which is helping more than 200 refugees who fled fighting in remote areas of Kyauktaw township for refuge in monasteries in Mrauk-U.
No new flood of refugees has reached the shelters in recent days, nor has any sign of a stand-down.
“The military hasn’t retreated,” said U Khaing Kaung San, also a Wan Lark activist. “If they move back we can see them. Our camp is situated in the main route to the conflict zone.”
He said the continuing military presence leaves the displaced stranded in the camps.
Last week the Tatmadaw charged the ethnic armed group with destabilising the region following the recent round of conflict which reportedly began on December 27. It vowed on January 7 to “eliminate” the AA “for the security of people’s life and property”. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
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