JAKARTA - The Arakan Army (AA) and its two ethnic armed partners in the Brotherhood Alliance said they were ready to join all ethnic groups and people of Myanmar, as the Myanmar military regime continued to be brutal.
An alliance of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Arakan Army condemned the military junta, as anti-coup protesters' death toll has reached 510.
Fighting for greater autonomy in Rakhine State in the west of the country, the AA has become one of the most formidable powers facing Myanmar's military over the past two years.
Fighting between the AA and the Myanmar military continued to escalate from November 2018 to early November 2020. The conflict caused hundreds of civilian casualties and displaced more than 200.000 residents.
In mid-March, the Myanmar military regime removed the Arakan Army from its list of terrorist groups, after fighting between the two sides was halted in November.
AA spokesman Khaing Thukha told The Irrawaddy, it is time for ethnic organizations to join hands to protect oppressed civilians from the military regime.
"We must do our best to protect the lives and property of those who are oppressed", he said.
AA, TNLA, and MNDAA warned the military they would cooperate with other ethnic armed organizations and pro-democracy supporters to defend against the regime's brutal crackdown if violence continues.
"They treat civilians very cruelly. Innocent civilians are brutally shot and killed by the military every day. Arbitrary arrests and looting of people's property are on the rise. We strongly condemn the inhuman actions of the Myanmar army and police", said Khaing Thukha.
Prior to the coup, the Brotherhood Alliance had negotiated individual bilateral agreements between each member and the military to stop fighting and announced a unilateral ceasefire to support the negotiations. After the military coup, they (the regime) extended the ceasefire unilaterally until March 31.
"We condemn the crackdown. We also mourn with the families of the protesters who died. The alliance is considering ending a unilateral ceasefire", said TNLA spokesman Major Mai Aik Kyaw.
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He said the Brotherhood Alliance was considering ending the unilateral ceasefire. In addition, he said TNLA held the military responsible for the violence, including the shooting and killing of civilians. Hence, they will join other alliances to protect civilians.
Previously, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the military wing of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which is the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), managed to attack and seize a number of bases and outposts belonging to the Myanmar police and military.
Regarding the Myanmar Coup. VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.
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