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Myanmar’s army has killed 13 rebel fighters in the western Rakhine State, a military spokesman said yesterday, as government troops battle to contain a new insurgency in the troubled region.
Fighting between security forces and the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group seeking greater autonomy for Rakhine, has forced some 5,000 civilians to flee their homes since early December, according to the United Nations.
As clashes broke out near Alei Chaung village in Buthidaung township on morning of January 13, all villagers fled their village and they are being sheltered at Thayatpyin monastery.
More than 260 people from Alei Chaung village in Buthidaung township fled their homes on January 13.
Myanmar’s leaders on Monday vowed to “crush” an insurgency in western Rakhine state by the Arakan Army (AA), demanding that ethnic Rakhines end support for the armed group that killed 13 policeman in coordinated attacks during the country’s Independence Day last week.
Zaw Htay, director general of President Win Myint’s office, said Myanmar’s de facto leader State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi discussed the AA’s attacks during a meeting on national security held with the president, military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and other cabinet members.
Myanmar’s security forces have clashed with ethnic rebels in the country’s western Rakhine State bordering Bangladesh, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on January 2.
The clash happened near Saytaung in Buthidaung township and involved rebels from the Arakan Army (AA) group of the Rakhine, the Buddhist majority in the state.
At least 21 Afghan police officers were killed in three simultaneous Taliban assaults Monday night in northern Afghanistan. Although civilians were nearby, security forces fired artillery rounds to repel the militant advances.
The hours-long attack focused mostly on overtaking oil wells and vehicles near the capital in Sar-e Pol province, officials said, as the Taliban bids to demonstrate power and undermine government control during peace talks to end the 17-year-old war.