Myanmar conflict: UN Security Council voice concern, calls for peace

Myanmar: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for an immediate stoppage of violence in Myanmar and efforts to ensure civilians are not harmed, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports. It expressed its concerns about the unrest in the country.

After the report of clashes between junta troops and fighters from the militant group in Rakhine state in Myanmar, the UNSC warned that these incidents pose severe challenges for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return Rohingya refugees and other displaced people. The council called for an equitable, safe and constant delivery and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines along with unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need.

A rebel spokesman reported the clashes in the country. Clashes broke a ceasefire that kept peace in the western region since the military coup in February. Since then, the country has been in chaos, added with a stringent clampdown on dissent. Fights also increased along borderlands involving ethnic armed organisations.

Following the February coup, the junta had reaffirmed a commitment to a ceasefire with the Arakan Army- who fought for autonomy for the Rakhine state's ethnic Rakhine population. The ceasefire gave military troops space to face the local "self-defence forces" that have raised opposition to the military across the country. Arakan Army sources told AFP that fighting on Wednesday started after the military entered the area where the clashes broke.