• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Specials Myanmar & COVID-19

AA Leader Says Myanmar Govt, Military Deliberately Spreading COVID-19 in Rakhine

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
September 7, 2020
in Myanmar & COVID-19
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Arakan Army chief Tun Myat Naing in April 2019. / The Irrawaddy

Arakan Army chief Tun Myat Naing in April 2019. / The Irrawaddy

7.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—The leader of a Rakhine ethnic armed group has accused the Myanmar government and army of “intentionally” spreading COVID-19 for their political and military benefit in Rakhine State, where fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops has flared even as the western state reels under the pandemic.

Some parts of Rakhine, especially in the north, have been a battleground for the past few years, witnessing sporadic armed clashes between the two armies since late 2018, when the AA launched its armed struggle for autonomy in the state. The fighting has caused civilian deaths and forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes. The government has denounced the AA as a terrorist organization.

Currently, 3 million people in Rakhine State are under government travel restrictions, as all 17 of its townships with the exception of Yanbye have reported COVID-19 cases. The state has 540 patients so far, becoming the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak since last month.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

July 10, 2025
1.1k
Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

Myanmar Junta Starves Last Rakhine Strongholds as AA Closes In

July 7, 2025
9.8k
Mekong River Body Detects Heavy Metal Contamination

Mekong River Body Detects Heavy Metal Contamination

July 7, 2025
543

In a video message to Rakhine people last week, AA leader Major General Tun Myat Naing raised questions such as how coronavirus infections spread to Rakhine and why the infection rate was higher there than anywhere else in the country.

“Even though COVID-19 is a health problem, there are many other factors to take into consideration, such as whether the disease is spreading to Rakhine people for political and military reasons,” he said.

“The Myanmar government and military are abusing their rights and power as weapons to wipe out Rakhine State politically, ethnically and militarily, so it’s a point worth considering,” he added.

The AA chief said that despite its announcement of a ceasefire early this year to control the disease, the government had effectively ignored its own truce and continued to fight based on the country’s counterterrorism law.

He also complained that while the whole world was practicing social distancing and restricting unnecessary travel, thousands of government troops were streaming in and out Rakhine, as if they intended to spread the coronavirus.

“The Myanmar government and army are making the most of the pandemic in the time of COVID-19. We suspect they let it spread [in Rakhine] as they profit from it [militarily and politically],” the major general said.

In the aftermath of the outbreak in Rakhine, Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi pledged the government’s full support for the fight against COVID-19 in Rakhine State late last month, saying, “I dare say Rakhine will never face shortages.” Currently, the government is spending 1.6 billion kyats to provide financial assistance to internally displaced persons in Rakhine, according to the state’s Disaster Management Department. Additionally, medics and volunteers from across the country have flown to the state to reinforce healthcare workers on the ground.

On Friday, Myanmar President’s Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay rejected the AA leader’s accusation as a “very horrible remark.”

“It is not OK for the AA leadership to say such a damn reckless thing while concerned people all over the country are trying to help Rakhine,” he said during a press briefing, commenting that it was the armed group itself that was trying to exploit COVID-19 politically and militarily in order to create misunderstandings among local people.

The spokesperson said that despite the rebel group’s declaration of a ceasefire, it continued to fight and plant landmines on a daily basis.

“What they are saying is totally different from what they are doing. I have to say their [ceasefire statement] is merely for propaganda,” he said, adding that the AA had failed to respond to the government’s offer of bilateral peace discussions, even in a third country.

“No reply yet. It seems they don’t want peace,” he said.

On Thursday last week, the Myanmar military set a village on fire in Rakhine State’s Kyauktaw Township, destroying more than 200 homes and killing two civilians, according to local residents.

You may also like these stories:

Health Workers Make Up 10% of Myanmar’s COVID-19 Cases

While Elephants Enjoy Some Rest, Humans Suffer as COVID-19 Hits Thai Tourism

Myanmar Reports Its Seventh COVID-19 Death; First in Over Four Months

Your Thoughts …
Tags: AACOVID-19HealthMilitaryRakhine conflict
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion
Burma

Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion

by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2024
24.5k

Naing Naing Oo elevated to Lieutenant-General and made chief of powerful Bureau of Special Operations No. 2, in a reshuffle...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats
Burma

Myanmar’s Chief of Eastern Command Purged After Karenni Defeats

by The Irrawaddy
January 12, 2024
20.1k

Major-General Hla Moe is reportedly the latest junta commander to pay the price for sweeping gains made by resistance forces. 

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts
Analysis

Myanmar Junta Counteroffensives Failing Across Country: Analysts

by Hein Htoo Zan
September 20, 2024
16.8k

Three major operations to retake territory from ethnic armies and their allies are being hampered by troop shortages, experts say.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands
Burma

Myanmar Junta Orders All Security Personnel to Frontline as Losses Mount in Hard-Hit Regional Commands

by The Irrawaddy
May 31, 2024
13.5k

Full-time military service order covers soldiers, personnel, police and border guards in eight regional commands.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say
Burma

Myanmar Junta Begins Forced Conscription of Women in Some Areas, Residents Say

by Hein Htoo Zan
May 31, 2024
13.5k

The regime is selecting women from lists of eligible conscripts and building barracks for them in Ayeyarwady; in Bago, women...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
A Yangon resident is sent to quarantine after having contact with a COVID-19 patient. / Myo Min Soe

Suu Kyi Urges COVID-19 Suspects from Myanmar's Rakhine to Come Forward as Cases Soar

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of Myanmar’s ruling National League for Democracy, attends the party's flag-hoisting ceremony at the NLD’s Naypyitaw headquarters. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Cancels First Campaign Trip as Health Minister Intervenes Over COVID-19 Concerns

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
940
‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
928

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.