A statement issued on 20 October by the Arakan Army (AA) and its political wing Arakan National League criticized the military’s action in the aftermath of attacks on the police outposts in Maungtaw. The statement said the offensive in the aftermath of the 9 October attacks was mainly aimed to earn sympathy from the Rakhine people and to divert attention from its military offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a key ally of AA. The statement also said the military actions against the terrorist attacks was ineffective and reflected that fact that it was not sincere to help the Rakhine people. U Khaing Thukha a spokesperson of Arakan National League, said the military has launched renewed offensives in Kachin and in the norther Shan State, including aerial offensives. “After the incident in Maungtaw public attention was moved from the events in the North. The military has highlighted its operations in Rakhine State,” he said. The statement said the move by the military to evacuate the Rakhine from the Maungtaw region instead of providing security at their villages has raised suspicions. The military used military helicopters to evacuate the Rakhine people trapped in Northern Rakhine State. The statement added that the AA is ready to provide adequate security for the people of Rakhine State, as the police and military were unable to do so. At least nine members of police force were killed and some weapons were loss in a series of attacks on the three border outposts in Maungtaw and Rathetaung townships on 9 October. Reference: DVB Burmese