The Arakan Army has been planning to release detained people, but it cannot discharge them at the moment because their security may be at risk due to the escalation of the Tatmadaw’s offensive, the AA’s information officer Khaing Thukha said.

The AA arranged to set free some detained people but no one would receive them from the AA because the Tatmadaw’s offensive operation was intensifying. The AA is worried that it would be their responsibility if the detained people were in jeopardy if the AA released them without knowing they would be safe and secure, Khaing Thukha said.

“We were about to let them go, then the Tatmadaw’s offensive operation started to ramp up. So, we had difficulties releasing them, and elderly folks cannot receive them. They are worried that they would be charged under the Unlawful Association Law. If we let them go alone, we would bear the burden if they never made it home,” he said.

The AA has currently detained about 12 people in total including some military officers and staff from Su Htoo San Company.  The AA will hold on to the military officers but they will release civilians, Khaing Thukha said.

The AA also denied the accusation of the murder of a boatman from Kya Nyo Pyin village in Buthidaung Township on May 21.