Photo courtesy of the Wai Lu Kyaw Foundation
Arakan Army (AA) released dozens of villagers from western Myanmar’s Chin State on August 1, 2019, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).
ICC says these villagers were held captive for six months in a border camp, after soldiers took them from their community following a battle with government forces.
ICC’s local source in Myanmar has confirmed the release of these primarily Christian villagers, following confidential negotiations.
According to the AA, which is fighting for greater autonomy in neighboring Rakhine State, the detained civilians were sent to community leaders in Ohnthee Wa village so they could be taken to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Meezar.
Pastor Moses from the camp told Radio Free Asia that he was informed about the villagers’ arrival in Ohnthee Wa, but that he had not yet met them.
He said: “They said that all have been released. They will stay in Meezar where the IDP camp is.”
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SOURCE: Assist News
