Myanmar State Counsellor had instructed the military (Tatmadaw) to effectively crush the AA terrorist group that attacked police outposts in Rakhine State, according to Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

Tatmadaw True News Information Team held a press conference on the Tatmadaw’s efforts for peace process and the fights with the AA, at Defence Services Museum in Nay Pyi Taw on January 18.

Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi, vice-chair of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team said: “The AA attacked the police outposts on Independence Day. The President Office issued a statement dated January 4, directing the Tatmadaw to effectively crush the AA in cooperation with Myanmar Police Force by increasing the number of soldiers and using helicopters. The Tatmadaw continued conducting the military operations for the regional security. On January 7, a coordination meeting was held at the Presidential Office. The State Counsellor instructed us to effectively crush the AA as it is just the terrorist group. If not, the international will be finger-pointing that the Tatmadaw does not crush the AA as it is an ethnic group. But it crushed the ARSA which practices a different religion. From January 5 to 16, there were eight fights and five mine blasts. The Tatmadaw seized the bodies of 13 AA terrorists killed in the fights. Some officers and other ranks from the Tatmadaw were also killed. The Tatmadaw continues carrying out the effective military operations there.”

With the regard to the question raised by a reporter whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi or the President gave the instruction to crush the AA, Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi replied that it is included in the statement after the meeting held at the Presidential Office on January 7. The Tatmadaw is performing duties in accordance with the instruction given by the Presidential Office. The Tatmadaw is using the report system between the Tatmadaw and the government. The Tatmadaw continues carrying out the effective military operations according to the Presidential Office’s directives. Chapter-7 of the Constitution covers the separate provision for the Tatmadaw. According to these provisions, the Tatmadaw can perform its duties independently. The Tatmadaw is doing some matters included in this chapter. The Tatmadaw makes cooperation with the government in some important matters.

The AA attacked four police outposts which were performing the duties for the security on Mayu Mountain. The AA’s attacks on police outposts is said to be stabbing in the back. The Tatmadaw will effectively crush the ARSA in order to protect the life and property of the people, said officials of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team.