Clarification: Incidents of WFP Warehouse fire in Maungdaw

Leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun made clarification on the fire outbreak at the Warehouses of World Food Program (WFP) in Maungdaw.

The Maj-Gen said the warehouses WFP are situated in the south of Maungdaw-Buthidaung Road. After the rise of armed conflicts since May, the facilities were abandoned with only guarded by the local guards. The security forces could not reach to the areas, only taking patrol around the area.

On June 21st, the security forces patrolled in that areas, having armed exchanged with AA insurgent at Waithali Village, east of those warehouses. AA terrorists used drones mainly during the attack, while attempting to enter the warehouses of WFP.

The local Bengalis moved the items from the warehouse in order to prevent them from AA terrorists since June 21st. Since AA learnt about the move, they launched drop bombs to the warehouses, resulting in the outbreak of fire at some warehouses.

Security forces have been informed about the move of rice bags, and on the 22nd, the security forces distributed rice bags to the households in the areas as these items meant to provide for the victims in Maungdaw.

The Maj-Gen also highlighted the drug trafficking by AA armed insurgents. From 2019 to May 2024, 46 cases of drug trafficking were seized along the waterway in Rakhine State, arresting over 260 suspects, mostly related to AA group.