Myanmar Spring Chronicle – January 23 Perspective
MoeMaKa, January 24, 2025
Hatred, Nationalism, and War Crimes
This week, a video surfaced on social media showing two detained members of the military junta’s forces being tortured and beheaded. The incident, believed to have occurred in a part of Rakhine State, prompted Thailand-based human rights group Fortify Rights to issue a statement urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Arakan Army (AA) for committing war crimes.
Responding to inquiries, the spokesperson for the Arakan Army, Khaing Thu Kha, confirmed that the incident occurred in February of the previous year in Kyauktaw Township. It took place during an AA operation to capture SAC Camp 9 in the area. According to the spokesperson, the AA forces killed the detainees out of retaliation, claiming their families had also suffered atrocities committed by the junta’s forces. The AA stated that disciplinary action had been taken against the perpetrators within their ranks and added that some responsible commanders had already died in clashes with junta troops.
From this account, it can be inferred that the AA had prior knowledge of the incident before Fortify Rights issued its statement. The AA claims to have addressed the breach of military discipline that led to the torture and killing of the detainees, framing it as an isolated retaliation driven by personal grief and hatred. However, such actions represent the grim reality of how cycles of violence unfold in conflicts, where atrocities and revenge killings become the norm.
Media outlets frequently expose the human rights abuses and war crimes committed by the junta’s forces, yet private media often hesitate to report on similar actions by ethnic armed groups, NUG-aligned People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), or unaffiliated local resistance groups. This reluctance arises from the fear of being labeled as “traitor media” or accused of siding with the military regime. Consequently, incidents like this rarely gain as much public attention unless they are widely circulated or explicitly highlighted by organizations like Fortify Rights.
War Propaganda and the Role of Hatred
In conflicts, armed groups rely on mobilizing manpower, securing funds, and garnering public support. To achieve this, they often emphasize the enemy’s cruelty, oppression, and injustices to rally the masses. Propaganda seeks to dehumanize the enemy, making acts of torture, killing, or retaliation seem justifiable or even necessary. Such hatred becomes a driving force in sustaining armed struggles.
Winning a war requires more than weapons and machinery. The fuel for conflict often lies in the spread of hatred, which can escalate into nationalist fervor and ethnic animosity. However, unchecked hatred risks devolving into war crimes and, in extreme cases, genocide.
If the recent incident in Rakhine State is confirmed as genuine, it would amount to a war crime. This raises critical questions about accountability within the AA. How were the perpetrators punished? Were commanding officers, who bear responsibility even if they did not directly order the acts, held accountable? Was the incident followed by adequate measures to prevent recurrence, such as enforcing strict military discipline and raising awareness about international humanitarian laws?
Historical Context and Broader Implications
The 2017 Inn Din village massacre and other atrocities, such as mass killings of Rohingya in Min Gyi village, underscore how ethnic hatred has driven large-scale violence in Myanmar. These incidents were fueled by a toxic mix of nationalism and ethnic intolerance, surpassing territorial objectives or self-determination to target entire communities for elimination or displacement.
The recent events in Rakhine State suggest that cycles of violence are continuing. Similar patterns can be observed across the country, including incidents like the junta’s massacres in Sagaing’s Butalin and Mone Taing villages, or PDF-related killings of civilians and alleged informants in areas like Kyaukkyi Township.
Reflection
Hatred and nationalism are potent forces in war. While they can mobilize resistance and sustain armed movements, they also drive atrocities and war crimes. Recognizing the dangers of these forces and addressing their consequences are critical to breaking the cycle of violence in Myanmar.