Arakan Army (AA) has denied a statement issued by Tatmadaw True News Information Team which says the AA launched a mine attack on an ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) convoy which is supplying relief aid in Rakhine State.
Brig. Gen. Zaw Min Tun from Tatmadaw True News Information Team said to Mizzima that AA attacked six trucks of the ICRC convoy with a mine and small arms fire on June 27 in the evening near Kyauk Kyab village and Maha Myat Muni junction in Kyauktaw Township.
But AA spokesman Khaing Thu Kha said that they did not attack this ICRC convoy and this attack had nothing to do with their army.
“This attack had nothing to do with us. The place where that alleged attack was made was under tight security of Tatmadaw (‘army’ in his words),” Khaing Thu Kha said.
The Tatmadaw said that in this attack the trucks were attacked by three remote mines and windshield of a truck was damaged and other trucks were hit by small arms fire.
Tatmadaw spokesman Brig. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said that AA once made two mine attacks at the same place where ICRC convoy was attacked and Tatmadaw could defuse and remove the mines at one time.
“Yes, it’s true. The mine explosion took place near Kyauk Kyab village. AA once made similar mine attacks two times at this place. This is the handiwork of AA,” he said.
AA denied this accusation made by the Tatmadaw. Although the statements made by Tatmadaw and AA contradict each other, it has been ascertained that the ICRC convoy carrying relief supplies was attacked on June 27 at about 8 p.m.
UN Geneva Convention clearly states that no one must hurt or harm relief aid personnel.
The ICRC Myanmar issued a press statement which says the Maungdaw bound ICRC convoy was carrying relief supplies left Yangon and these trucks were hired by the ICRC for transport of these supplies. These vehicles don’t have the signs and markings of ICRC but they are continuing the distribution and supplying humanitarian relief supplies.
One of the trucks reportedly damaged in the attack. Photo: Ye Zarni
