Myanmar rejects statements and pronouncements based on political incitement by some countries

■The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it strongly protests the situation where ethnic names that do not exist in Myanmar are being used incorrectly. Myanmar rejects statements and pronouncements issued by some countries based on political incitement regarding the incidents that occurred in northern Rakhine State in August 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on September 3.,Regarding the incidents that occurred in northern Rakhine State on August 25, 2017, some countries have issued statements, pronouncements, and news reports, including on social media. The statement notes that these statements and pronouncements fail to acknowledge the fact that the subsequent incidents in northern Rakhine State were caused by the simultaneous and premeditated attacks by the ARSA terrorist group.,The actual incidents involved ARSA terrorists committing initial terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State in October and November 2016, during which security force members and civilians lost their lives. On August 25, 2017, ARSA terrorists simultaneously launched coordinated attacks on 30 security outposts and one divisional headquarters in northern Rakhine State, resulting in the loss of life of Myanmar security force members, government officials, and innocent civilians, with many others injured, according to the statement.,However, it is observed that many countries in the world are overlooking the brutal acts of the ARSA terrorists. It is stated that all forms and acts of terrorism should be condemned. The statement further explains that the displacement of local ethnic nationals to other towns and villages, and the displacement of Bengalis from northern Rakhine State to Bangladesh, occurred due to the terrorist attacks by ARSA terrorists and their threats of extremist terrorism. Therefore, it is emphasized that actions to tarnish the image and reputation of Myanmar should not be taken, while ignoring the root causes of the incidents and the actual ground realities. As a sovereign nation, Myanmar has the right to defend itself and to respond to terrorist attacks committed against the nation and its people. Furthermore, the statement indicates that in responding to terrorist attacks, Myanmar security force members acted in accordance with the Rules of Engagement (RoE) to protect innocent local civilians and their lives and property, and to maintain stability and peace in Rakhine State.,Moreover, the statement strongly protests the situation where ethnic names that do not exist in Myanmar are being used incorrectly. Therefore, it is unacceptable to issue statements and pronouncements using this terminology for political purposes to gain political advantage from the related incidents in northern Rakhine State. These actions will not be a positive support for Myanmar's sincere efforts to repatriate displaced persons in accordance with the agreements reached between Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017 and 2018. The statement also reiterates that Myanmar is deeply concerned about allegations that all those residing in camps in Bangladesh are from Myanmar. The repatriation of displaced persons is an issue to be resolved between the two countries, and Myanmar will work closely with friendly nations, including Bangladesh, to ensure that displaced persons, after verification, can return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. In this regard, it is noted that Myanmar has already issued press releases regarding its efforts to repatriate displaced persons from Rakhine State on August 15, 2026.,Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Myanmar rejects statements, pronouncements, and news reports, including on social media, issued based on the political incitement of some countries, without acknowledging the root causes of the incidents that occurred in northern Rakhine State and the actual ground realities.