RAKHINE STATE – The junta council is said to be reinforcing its troops and rations in Rakhine State in recent days following the ceasefire between it and Arakan Army (AA).
A resident reported that in the area of Sanyin Village in Myaypon Township, the junta council is moving around its outposts in addition to reinforcing troops and rations.
“It is happening more frequently these days. There were also cases where they moved the outpost on hill tops to the base. The number of troops also increased. There were also a large number of ration and items transported. Recently on the 12th, seven military vehicles were sighted there. A ration truck and a military car remained. The ration included bags of rice and there were cases also. The other five cars left towards Minbya but returned in the evening,” detailed the resident.
Also at the mountains near the entrance to Myauk U where there are junta forces stationed, large numbers of ration boxes and cases were delivered, according to people in the area.
“They were probably weapons. We only saw the cases. There were probably rations as well. A lot of (boxes) were delivered,” said the people.
Mr. Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, said that such actions by the junta council could be a sign of mutual trust as well as a sign of battles breaking out at any time. “ULA/AA has also said that battles could break out any time. The junta council is also probably of the same opinion. That’s probably why they are collecting weapons, ammunition and rations.”
Although the current situation in Rakhine State between the junta council and AA is stable, the junta council has shelled Laiza in Kachin State where AA is based, resulting in casualties among the members of AA.
