Myanmar Army Chief: Terrorists backed by ‘Strong Forces’

Myanmar Commander in Chief General Min Aung Hlaing has said that the terrorist organisations active in Myanmar are backed by ‘strong forces’.

Speaking to the Russian state-run ZVEZDA News Agency about terrorism in Myanmar, General Hlaing said that international cooperation was vital to suppress terrorist organisations in cases where strong forces are behind them.

The Army Chief was in Moscow last week to attend the 75th anniversary of the Russian Victory in the second World War.

Military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun was quoted by Irrawady that the Military Chief was referring to Arakan Army (AA) and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). Myanmar government has labelled both the groups as terrorist organisations.

Experts have pointed out that the sophisticated arms recovered from the separatist groups active in Arakan and other conflict prone areas of Myanmar are often found to be made in China. Ex-military officer and political researcher Dr. Aung Myo was quoted by Irrawdy that most of the weapons currently used by the AA came from China.