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Diplomats concerned over crackdown in Myanmar


Published : 28 Jun 2020 10:26 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 09:07 AM

The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have expressed their concerns over the reports of Myanmar military’s clearance operations in the Rakhine State.

“We are deeply concerned by the reports of the Myanmar Military’s clearance operations along the Kyauktan village tract in Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State and the worsening humanitarian and security situation in Rakhine and southern Chin State,” said a joint statement.

“We are aware of the historic impacts of such operations disproportionately affecting civilians.”
“Access for humanitarian organisations must be allowed to provide appropriate response, particularly as communities respond to COVID19 and the monsoon season. The protection of civilians, their property and livelihoods by all parties must be prioritized,” read the statement.

Earlier Arakan Army and local villagers reported Myanmar Army and Arakan Army were fighting near Kyauk Tan village and in the hills near Aung Thar Zay villages, Rathedaung township.

“The military is launching offensive military operations near Kyauk Tan, and they are firing shells and artilleries to the bridge and water palm fields in the village entrance,” said a resident who does not want to publish his name for security concerned told Myanmar journalists. The fighting has started after Myanmar army ordered villagers out of homes in Kyauk Tan village tract since June 24.

AA Spokesperson Khine Thu Kha said, “Fighting are escalating near Kyauk Tan and Aung Thar Zay villages about 12 noon today (26 Jun) after Myanmar army is launching offensive operations and still continuing the fighting.”

“Witnesses report that 30 Myanmar soldiers are killed and seized huge amounts of weapons in the battles. We will release details of weapon confiscations,” he said.

Local people reports about 300 Myanmar soldiers were attacking AA bases in the hills near Aung Thar Zay village at 11 am. The soldiers withdrew from the attack in the evening with heavy actualities after AA fought back.

The Villagers reported thousands of residents from Kyauk Tan, Aung Thar Kyaw, Htee Swea, Nwar Hla Kyaw, La Mone Taing, and Nwar Tin Koke were running out of the villages.

Rathedaung township administration chairman Aung Myin Thein told Radio Free Asia Burmese Service on June 25 he has sent out notice letters to 13 village administers.

The letter stated army would launch clearance operations, and villagers have to temporarily stay out of the villages during the military operations. The letters urged the villagers to accept AA fighters in their villages.

The four diplomatic missions in Myanmar in their joint statement said the fleeing of villagers along the Kyuaktan village tract will further contribute to Rakhine’s already significant and increasing internally displaced population.

“We are aware of reports of burning of property, shelling and the arrests of villagers. We call on all armed actors to exercise restraint while in areas inhabited by local communities, some of whom may not, by no fault of their own, be able to seek refuge elsewhere,” read the statement.

“Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in Rakhine and Chin States. Dialogue between armed actors is urgently needed.”

They also reminded the Myanmar Military of its obligations under international law and to implement the International Court of Justice (ICJ) provisional measures.