Tatmadaw holds press conference on attacks by extremist Bengali terrorists in northern part of Rakhine State

Director of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Maj-Gen Aung Ye Win clarifies situation of northern Rakhine State at the press conference.

Media persons observe documentary photos displayed at the press conference.

Nay Pyi Taw August 30

A Tatmadaw press conference on attacks by extremist Bengali terrorists in northern part of Rakhine State in August 2017 was held at Bayintnaung parlour in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.

Present at the press conference were Maj-Gen Than Htut Thein of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Tatmadaw True News Information Committee Chairman Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo, Director of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Maj-Gen Aung Ye Win, senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), officials of the Ministry of Defence, foreign military attachés to Myanmar, members of Myanmar Media Council, Myanmar Journalists Association and Myanmar Journalist Network and reporters from local news agencies and locally-based foreign news agencies.

First, Maj-Gen Aung Ye Win clarified the background history of Bengalis such as the entry of Bengalis from Bangalore and Chittagong in the British colonial era, conflicts between Bengalis and ethnic Rakhines, Rakhine-Bengali confl ict in 2012, Bengalis’ terrorist attacks in 2016, solving problems, and the Bengalis’ focus on series of terrorist attacks from October 2016 to August 2017.

Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo elaborated on terrorist attacks of extremist Bengali terrorists since August 25, 2017 and details of attacks so far, and Tatmadaw’s cooperation with police in repulsing the mass attacks of extremist Bengalis after attacks reached a level beyond the defensive capacity of police and Maj-Gen Than Htut Thein explained Tatmadaw’s actions in response to terrorist attacks of extremist Bengalis.

Military Attaché of Australia Col. Paul Andrew Bruce asked about the proportional size of security forces in search and raid operations; military attaché of Bangladesh Brig. General Rashedul Mannan proposed cooperation in counter-terrorism operations; military attaché of United States Col. Craig J. Tippins called for caution in search and raid operations, highlighting the possibility of some villagers shifting to the side of terrorists.

Member of Myanmar Media Council U Tin Maung Aye asked question about National Security and Defence Council meeting, U Hla Swe of Bullet Journal about Geneva Convention, and U Maung Maung Tun of News Watch Journal about the involvement of local and international non-governmental organizations in the attacks. Officials replied to the questions.

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