July 9, 2024
YANGON – The Information Team of the State Administration Council (SAC) has reported that the Arakan Army (AA) opened fire on vessels from Bangladesh.
According to the SAC, coastguard vessels carrying Bangladeshi government staff and civilian boats were separately attacked by small guns in the Nyaungpingyi-Ginchaung area of Rakhine State on June 5, 8, and 11.
During this period, Myanmar military columns implemented security measures around Nakhaungto Creek in Ahle Thankyaw, Mawyawady, and Maungtaw areas.
However, the shootings occurred between the AA and military columns, with no presence of Myanmar military forces, including the Myanmar Police Force, in the area where the Bangladeshi vessels were attacked.
The SAC clarified that Myanmar military vessels did not operate on June 5 and 11 but arrived in the Maungtaw region via Nakhaungto Creek in Ahle Thankyaw on the night of June 8.
The AA members reportedly hid in a nearby village, consistently targeting military vessels.
The SAC emphasized that there were no military operations involving naval vessels during the Bangladeshi ships’ attacks in the Nyaungpingyi-Ginchaung area of Rakhine State.
The SAC’s investigations attribute the attacks to the AA, highlighting close ties between the Myanmar military and the Bangladeshi government, as well as adherence to border regulations between Myanmar and Bangladesh.