Archaeologists Want Myanmar Army to Remove Heavy Guns From Ancient Rakhine Temple Complex

via Radio Free Asia, 12 April 2019:

Archaeologists want Myanmar forces to remove their artillery from a temple complex in a historically significant area of war-torn Rakhine state’s Mrauk-U township, saying that artillery shells fired from inside the zone have damaged ancient monuments.

Residents have reported that national troops have fired artillery from the archaeological zone towards areas where they believe that members of the rebel Arakan Army (AA) have been hiding since the two sides began fighting in the township more than a month ago.

Members of the Mrauk-U Archaeological Zone Protection Association sent a letter to Rakhine state Chief Minister Nyi Pu on April 9, objecting to the military’s shelling from the archaeological zone.

The letter mentioned that government troops placed artillery launchers on Sat Yone Mountain, in the Nga Pi Thel Ma and Nate Bu Zar Pagoda hills, in Amyint Taung fortress, on Shwe Taung and Yadanar Mann Aung Pagoda hills, and on other mountains where the Ye Hla Nga-Mann walls are located. It also said that the soldiers fired shells from these locations nearly every day.

Source: Archaeologists Want Myanmar Army to Remove Heavy Guns From Ancient Rakhine Temple Complex