Myanmar military vows to continue offensive against Arakan armed group

The Myanmar military has vowed to continue launching offensive against the ethnic Arakan Army following recent clashes with the armed group for more than 10 times, the military Myawaddy media reported Friday.

The government forces have pledged to remove the armed group from Rakhine state in western Myanmar where it is operating.

It is reported that seven members of the government forces including one commanding officer were killed in a sniper attack and many others were injured, while the government forces captured three Arakan Army members and seized some weapons during the clashes last week in the Ranchaung-Ru Chaung area of Kyauktaw township, Rakhine state.

The armed group, while retreating, took five men and two women working on a farm as hostages.

The Arakan Army is among the three armed groups that have not been invited to the government's peace deal. The government signed a nationwide ceasefire accord with eight armed groups on Oct. 15 last year and a formal political dialogue is set for mid-January. Enditem