‘Arakan Army’ accuses Bangladesh officials of ‘inciting Rohingya insurgent attacks’

Accusations include direct orders to target Taungpyo and, if impossible, the armed group’s northern outpost in Rakhine

The “Arakan Army” has accused Bangladeshi officials of involvement in attacks carried out by “Rohingya insurgents” on its bases in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The Irrawaddy, a Myanmar-based outlet run from Thailand, reported that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) jointly attacked an Arakan Army base in Maungdaw Township on the night of Sept 18.

Claiming that Bangladeshi officials “supported” the assault, the armed group chief Tun Myat Naing said his forces were already struggling to restore order in territories taken from the Myanmar government.

“Bangladeshi military officers who support militants on the other side of the border told them to attack us,” he added. “Previously, these militant leaders were contacted through intermediaries, but now we have credible intelligence of direct coordination [between them].”

In an interview with Irrawaddy, the Arakan Army chief said Bangladeshi officials instructed the Muslim militants to attack Taungpyo, near the Bangladesh border, or, if that was not possible, military positions north of Taungpyo.

“They told them to attack with whatever weapons they have,” he added.

Irrawaddy noted it had sought comment from the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar on these allegations, but no response has been received.

bdnews24.com was unable to obtain comment from ISPR or the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).