The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) announced on January 5 that the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) assassinated the ALP’s Chief of Staff and two battalion commanders on January 4.

Member of the Central Working Committee of the ALP and Commander-in-Chief Major General Khaing Soe Mya, No.101 Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Khaing Kyaw Soe and Captain Khaing Thurinda were assassinated on the morning of January 4 while returning home from the Independence Day ceremony organized by the Arakan State Council on Setan Road in Satyonesu district, Sittwe.

The statement said three of them died of gunshot wounds in the car they were riding in when they were attacked by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

The ALP said the ULA / AA group's inhumane terrorist attack against Major General Khaing Soe Mya and two commanders has not only damaged the unity of the Rakhine nation, but also shocked the people of Rakhine.

It said it will seek justice for the series of assassinations as the ULA/AA group not only arrested and tortured its leaders, party members and troops, but also illegally tortured and assassinated the leaders of Rakhine political parties, party members, monks and people.

Major General Khaing Soe Mya has served in the party and army for about 40 years since 1984 for the liberation of Rakhine State. He is a good soldier who has fulfilled all the responsibilities given by the party and army in the allied Kayin State and western military region of Rakhain State. The assassination of Major General Khaing Soe Mya and two commanders is an irreplaceable loss for the ALP and the people of Rakhine, ALP said in a statement.

The ALP is an ethnic armed organization that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and has held two peace talks with the SAC at the invitation of the SAC chairman.