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"The four police outposts were just to provide security for
local ethnic villages and they were not well-defended as the border police
stations," he said.
The AA armed group launched attacks on the four police outposts
in ethnic Arakan villages of Nga Myin Baw, Kyaung Taung, Ka Htee Hla and Goke
Pi in Buthidaung township at 06:45 a.m. local time on Friday.
With the use of two helicopters, the military returned fire and
took control of the situation before 10:00 a.m. on Friday, according to the
official.
A total of 13 police personnel were killed and nine others were
injured in the attack with small arms and bullets reported missing from the
outposts, according to the Information Ministry.
On December 12 last year, the non-ceasefire signatory Northern
Alliance Ethnic Forces, comprising three ethnic armed groups -- Myanmar
National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army
(TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA) released a joint statement, expressing their
desire to settle military dispute and political matters through dialogue.
In response of the joint-statement, Myanmar military also
announced suspension of all its military action against armed groups in
operation areas in five military command regions for over four months
starting from December 21, 2018 to April 30, 2019.
During the military's non-operation period, ethnic armed groups
in respective operation areas are to negotiate for ceasefire and peace with
the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, said an announcement of the
Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services.
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Source: NDO