Rakhine rebels kill 13 policemen in brazen raids

YANGON: Thirteen Myanmar police officers were killed in raids on Friday by ethnic Rakhine rebels, the army said, in a brazen, coordinated attack on the country’s Independence Day which adds a dangerous new dimension to conflict in the restive western state.

Rakhine has seen a surge in violence in recent weeks between rebels from the Arakan Army - who are seeking greater autonomy for their ethnic Rakhine group, who are Buddhists and security forces, displacing thousands.

It has added a fresh layer of complexity and danger to the violence in an area already scored by deep ethnic and religious enmity, which saw hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims forced over the border by a bloody army crackdown in 2017.

Around 350 militants from the Arakan Army swarmed four police stations in northern Rakhine state early on Friday “killing 13 police and wounding nine others”, according to a statement released by the army chief’s office.

The militants stole scores of weapons and ammunition before army reinforcements struck back with two attack helicopters and infantry columns, added the statement, which was shared on a Russian social networking site.

“Strong action will be taken against the insurgents by security forces as they are making things more unstable and complicated in Rakhine,” it said.