UN to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar western state after violent attacks

The United Nations will provide humanitarian assistance to areas in Myanmar's western Rakhine state which was recently under armed attacks, Renata Dessallin, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar told the press Friday.

Nine policemen and five soldiers died in the violent attacks by armed men on Oct. 9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyi of Maungtaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office.

To clarify the case to the international community, the Myanmar government had allowed foreign mission comprising UN resident coordinator and foreign ambassadors to monitor the true situation.

The mission visited on Wednesday some attacked areas and Muslim villages in Rakhine state.

The mission members said they were able to talk with the communities and go wherever they wanted, finding that it was only a political issue.

Humanitarian aid is seriously needed in the state as some areas do not have access to any outside assistance, said the mission.

Roland Kobia, Ambassador of the European Union to Myanmar, urged the Myanmar government to find both immediate and long-term solutions.

The Myanmar government said it has pinpointed "Aqa Mul Mujahidin", an organization led by Havistoohar and linked with terrorist organization "Rohingya Solidarity Organization ", as behind the Oct. 9 assault.

Islamic extremists were involved in the attacks, which were supported financially by foreign terrorist organizations, the government said. Endit