Myanmar border guards in Maungdaw, Rakhine in June 2018. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A total of 13 policemen were killedand nine others injured in Rakhine insurgents’ attacks on four police posts inMyanmar's western state of Rakhine on January 4.
As the country marked their Independence Day, the rebelArakan Army sent hundreds of gunmen to the attacks, forcing the police toabandon two of their posts.
The Myanmar military said it is now conducting a"clearance" of the area.
The Arakan Army said that the rebels had freed at least 12members of the security forces it detained in the fight. It added that theattacks were a response to a Myanmar military offensive against the group inrecent weeks.
Earlier in December 2018, Myanmar’s army announced thesuspension of all military actions against armed groups which are operating infive military command regions for over four months until April 30, 2019.
According to an announcement of the Office of theCommander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, during the military's non-operationperiod, ethnic armed groups in respective operation areas are to negotiate forceasefire and peace with the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre.
So far, 10 ethnic armed groups have signed the NationwideCease fire Accord (NCA) with the Government since it was initiated in October2015. Seven Northern Alliance armed groups have yet to sign the pact. –VNA
VNA
