Yangon: Fighting between Myanmar’s military and ethnic Rakhine rebels in Mrauk U, the ancient capital of the Rakhine kingdom, has left at least eight locals injured, scaring tourists and sparking fears that the historical monuments are under threat.
Ethnic and religious tensions divide western Rakhine state, where the army forced out some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims in a brutal crackdown in 2017.
Now the military is waging war against the Arakan Army (AA), which claims to represent ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and has killed 22 officers since early January.
Over the weekend the conflict spread to Mrauk U, renowned for its ancient temples and popular with hardier travellers.
Myanmar hopes to obtain UNESCO world heritage status for Mrauk U, and the Myanmar Archaeology Association Monday expressed concerns that the ongoing clashes might affect its nomination.
It issued an emergency appeal for all sides to demarcate the town as a ‘fire-free zone’.
The army said they deployed troops to downtown Mrauk U after receiving a tip-off the AA was going to mount an attack.
The insurgent group could not be reached for comment.
Authorities have vowed to crush the rebellion, which has simmered since the group’s formation in 2009.
The rebels enjoy widespread support from ethnic Rakhine, who have felt marginalised for decades in one of the country’s poorest states.
But thousands have been displaced by the spreading violence which is also edging closer to the state capital Sittwe.
Much of Rakhine is in a strict lockdown and information is difficult to verify independently.
AFP