Interview
Border News Agency
Buthidaung, August 11.

The Arakan Army (AA) has been accused by the international community of massacring nearly 600 villagers in Htan Shauk Khan village of Nghet Thay village tract, Buthidaung Township, which is under AA control.

In response, at its 10th press conference held today, August 11, AA spokesperson Khine Thu Kha addressed questions from the media and provided clarifications.

“These accusations are baseless claims fabricated by a group pursuing their own interests. If we are to speak from our side, these allegations are nothing more than malicious propaganda.”

“We have seen major international news outlets and certain so-called human rights groups amplifying and spreading these fabricated propaganda narratives. Some even go as far as publishing reposts.”

“The incident in Nghet Thay Village Tract’s Htan Shauk Khan Village took place around May 2024. In brief, regarding the case in Htan Shauk Khan Village — during the period of the Buthidaung battle, the enemy forces abandoned the 15th Headquarters of the Buthidaung Battalion and, as they withdrew from their base, they retreated into Htan Shauk Khan Village.”

“After that, they tried their best to firmly defend against the AA troops. On our side, we surrounded them from all directions and tried to annihilate them.”

“In that Htan Shauk Khan village, intense fighting broke out for about three days.”

“At that time, at least around two hundred junta troops were killed.”

“That’s why, in that area, bodies were found—some already in a state of decomposition. The terrorist junta had buried about twenty to thirty of them together in a single pit, while hundreds of other corpses were left almost entirely unburied.”

“If you look at the current allegations, examine the photo carefully. Journalists should be able to see and assess those things.”

“The helmets left behind by the terrorist military junta, along with military boots found on skeletal remains serve as key evidence. The photos currently being accused and circulated actually show the bodies of soldiers who died on the junta’s side.”

“According to records, Htan Shauk Khan Village had a total population of 993 people, based on the 2017 census.”

“Currently, when we asked the village chief of that village, he said the population is only 910.”

“During the wartime, the villagers were evacuated, and when they were resettled in the new Htan Shauk Khan Village, the population was 791

“When asked why the population was previously said to be 910 but has now decreased, the village head explained that some people fled to refugee camps in Bangladesh. Others went to Yangon, and some even went to Malaysia. That’s how they clarified the situation.”

“Therefore, the claim that the ULA/AA massacred around 600 villagers, as they have accused, is completely untrue.”

“Currently, the village’s population stands at 719 residents.”

“We want to tell reporters that if they wish to visit the village themselves, there is a plan to arrange the visit depending on the security situation.”