UN warns of 'intensified fighting' in Myanmar's Rakhine state

By AFP
29 June 2020
UN warns of 'intensified fighting' in Myanmar's Rakhine state

The United Nations called for "urgent measures to spare civilians" in Myanmar's conflict-wracked northwest on Sunday, saying fighting has intensified between the army and the Arakan Army.

The military has been battling the Arakan Army (AA) in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states since January last year.

Scores of civilians have been killed in the area and tens of thousands displaced. The two sides have traded allegations of abuse.

Under lockdown and with an internet blackout across much of the conflict zone, reporting from the area is difficult to verify.

The UN expressed concern Sunday over "reports of intensified fighting" in northwest Rakhine state's Rathedaung township.

The area is home to more than 10,000 civilians, and local sources report they are either fleeing or are trapped by the ongoing conflict, the UN said.

Urging both parties to "take urgent measures to spare civilians", the UN also called for them to respect international humanitarian law as well as reiterating the need for a ceasefire with the ongoing global pandemic.

The statement comes after local authorities issued a call last week to residents of more than 40 villages to evacuate ahead of "clearance operations".

But Border Affairs Minister Colonel Min Than told AFP Sunday the order was "revoked" because the army was only targeting five villages, including Kyauk Tan, to flush out AA insurgents.

"It's not a 'clearance operation', but a 'military operation,'" Min Than said.

© AFP