AB News – May 10, 2024
Residents of Buthidaung have reported that the Arakan Army has played a crucial role in evacuating Bengali Muslims to safety during the ongoing conflict. A resident shared with AB News that fierce battles have erupted between the Arakan Army and the military council in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. In response, the Arakan Army has been assisting Muslims from Bengali villages near the conflict zone to relocate to safer areas.
“There’s intense fighting in Buthidaung. The military council frequently fires heavy weapons and small arms into villages, and makes arbitrary arrests,” stated one Muslim evacuee amidst the chaos. “In such dire circumstances, the Arakan Army has aided us in reaching safety, and now we find ourselves in a secure location.”
General Twan Mrat Naing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army, showcased four photos on his social media page “X” depicting the Arakan Army soldiers evacuating Bengali Muslims to safer regions. Alongside these images, General Twan Mrat Naing emphasized that despite the Arakan Army’s efforts to assist civilians, they face attacks from so-called activists with their vested interest and stooges of the military council.
“Whereas self-righteous and self-opinionated vested interest activists and pontificating stooges are blowing hard , true heros steadfastly remain committed to their course,,,fearless,,compassionate,,,dutiful and victorious . ‘They are the true warriors and defenders of our fatherland.”
“Townspeople reported that the combined forces of military council soldiers and local Bengali militants launched arson attacks, destroying approximately 5,000 homes owned by non-Muslim individuals, including Rakhines and Hindus.”
“Yesterday, on May 9, at around 5:00 a.m., Shwe Yin Aye village in Maungdaw township was engulfed in flames by the joint forces of SAC soldiers and local Bengali-Muslim militants, resulting in the destruction of no fewer than 50 houses.”
“On May 7, in Maungdaw, SAC soldiers and Bengali-Muslim militants entered the village of Weitharli, setting fire to homes. They also indiscriminately fired their small arms, resulting in the death of one mother and severe injuries to her son and daughter.”