Fighting occurred between the army and Arakan Army (AA) in Nwayontaung Village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, on July 13, and during the clashes, Army troops had to put out some houses in the village incinerated by AA members, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of Tatmadaw  (Military) True News Information Team, has clarified.

The clarification was made to refute the reports published by some media and online criticisms  that a military column set fire to those houses.

Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun said clashes broke out in the north of Nwayontaung Village. Then the fighting continued in the village as AA troops fled there.

"We found a dead body and some foxholes being dug there. We also found two houses, one cow farm and a pig farm there to which they (AA members) set fire. So we had to put them out. Then, accusations erupted that the government army did it. Actually we have to put out the fire," said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.