People fleed from Rakhine State on August 26 (Photo: EPA/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar authorities on August 29
called on all ethnic groups to cooperate with the government to restore peace
and stability in Rakhine after at least 110 people have been killed in clashes
in the northwestern state since August 25.
Speaking to the press in Nay Pyi Taw, National Security Adviser
U Thaung Tun said the government has every right to defend itself, and forces
will be used with restraint to avoid civilian causalities.
He warned that the current round of violence in the area
was significantly different from previous attacks, while affirming Myanmar is
committed to fighting terrorism, he reiterated.
Myanmar’s Minister for Home Affairs Lt Gen Kyaw Swe said
that extreme terrorists are trying to establish an Islamic territory in Mangtaw
and Buthidaung areas.
According to another military officer, if the situation
is getting worse, the National Defence and Security Council will hold an emergency
meeting to discuss the turmoil. The militants have burned down more than 2,300
houses during the attacks.
Extremists launched pre-dawn attacks on 30 police
outposts at the same time in Rakhine on August 25, killing 12 policemen and an
immigration officer. Since then, the security forces have killed 77 gunmen and
seized two others.-VNA