Arakan civil society organisations and locals are urging armed combatants to refrain from using civilians as human shields during wartime, as concerns grow over the prospect of conflict reigniting in northern Arakan State for the first time in more than a year.
The calls came after a civilian vehicle reportedly carrying junta troops was hit by a landmine near Phar Wat Chaung village in Maungdaw Township on February 7, killing its driver and a female non-combatant.
“The use of human shields during war harms local people. It is as if civilians are being taken to the armed conflict and landmine fields. I think that should not happen,” said U Pe Than, a former Arakan State lawmaker for Myebon Township.
U Khaing Kaung San, director of the Wun Lark Rural Development Foundation, echoed those sentiments.
“Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the war. Even if war breaks out, civilian casualties need to be reduced. Both armies need to refrain from [harming] civilians. The use of civilian vehicles should be avoided during military operations,” he told DMG.
In the event of clashes, local civilians should be given priority to minimise casualties, CSOs said, and fighting near towns and villages should be avoided if at all possible.
“I would like to urge the armed groups not to use locals as guides or as human shields. No matter who rules, no matter what race … there should be accountability and responsibility to the people,” said Ko Bekka, a resident of Rathedaung Township.
DMG phoned Major-General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the junta’s State Administration Council (SAC), and Colonel Kyaw Thura, the Arakan State minister for Security and Border Affairs, about the matter, but they could not be reached for comment.
