The bottom of West Myede Pagoda in Mrauk-U was slightly destroyed during an artillery strike on the evening of March 15.

The Arakan Army (AA) released a statement on September 26, saying that they won’t engage in attacks by using the religious, school and hospital buildings, and residential places as covers for them.

 

AA said that they didn’t use the pagodas as cover during the fighting before and will protect the historical pagodas.

The proposal - “to have the measures from the Arakan State government not to engage in fights using religious and residential places as cover” was submitted to the State’s Hluttaw and approved on September 23. AA said that they welcomed the proposal.

“We welcome the proposal and will comply with it,” AA says.

A Tatmadaw Hluttaw representative also supported the proposal and took part in the discussion.

“We can see what the proposal means. It mentions religious buildings and a significant heritage. The proposal was submitted to protect them. I support and join the discussion because I like the meaning of proposal,” Lieutenant-colonel Win Bo, a Tatmadaw representative, said.

Some of historic pagodas in Mrauk-U and Buthidaung Township, Arakan State were destroyed by artillery shells and bullets.