Arakan Army seizes district police station in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State

The Arakan Army (AA) announced early on Wednesday morning that they had overtaken the district police station in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State, three days after launching an initial attack on the site. The statement by the ethnic armed organisation did not include estimates of casualties on either side, or how many weapons were seized. On Sunday morning, the AA had ambushed the police station, located near the Ngwe Taung Pauk bridge. The group also targeted a junta base on Thu Daw Maw hill. The military retaliated by firing heavy artillery in the days that followed, killing nine civilians and injuring at least 16 more, the AA said. Myanmar Now reported on Tuesday that five people were injured on Sunday when junta shells exploded in Sin Cha Seik ward in Mrauk-U town and in the village of Ywar Haung Taw. Through its media mouthpieces, the military council alleged on Tuesday that the AA had attacked the archaeological museum in Mrauk-U, which is also a site of historic importance, having served as the centre of an Arakanese kingdom dating back to the 1400s. The junta accused the AA of destroying historic stone slabs at the site. People walk among the ancient structures of Mrauk-U in 2016 (Khun Latt / Myanmar Now) Pe Than, a Rakhine politician who was previously elected to represent Myebon Township in parliament, rejected the allegations that the AA was responsible for the reported damage. “Mrauk-U is the heart of the Rakhine people and the AA has never been reckless—I can tell you for sure that AA would never do such a thing,” he told Myanmar Now. Local Rakhine media outlet Narinjara reported that it was Myanmar army artillery that hit the building where the stone slabs were kept. The AA accused Mrauk-U-based Infantry Battalions 540, 377, and 378 of firing heavy artillery that hit the archaeological museum on Monday, destroying several artefacts. The AA has increased its operations against the military in Rakhine and southern Chin states in recent months in coordination with Operation 1027, an offensive launched on October 27 by the AA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army against the junta in northern Shan State. During this period, the AA has seized some 140 military posts, including at least two tactical bases, in Chin State’s Paletwa Township along the Kaladan River, which separates Rakhine State from Bangladesh. At the time of reporting, the AA was still fighting for control of another tactical base—Khawei—in the southern Chin State township.

Arakan Army seizes district police station in Mrauk-U, Rakhine State

The AA and local sources say the ancient city’s archaeological museum and artefacts inside were damaged by Myanmar army artillery, rejecting junta accusations that the AA targeted the site

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