25 August 2026
The head of the so-called IIMM has released a statement on 24 August 2026, concerning the ninth anniversary of terrorist attacks against state security forces and innocent civilians in northern Rakhine State, which took place in August 2017.
Myanmar has not recognized the establishment of the so-called IIMM since its inception in 2018, and Resolution 39/2 of the Human Rights Council, which created the mechanism’s mandate, did not enjoy consensus. The resolution failed to acknowledge coordinated terrorist attacks committed by Aqa Mul Mujahideen, aka ARSA, on 25 August 2017 against 30 security outposts and an army base in northern parts of Rakhine State, which killed security forces, government officials, and innocent people.
The ARSA committed similar attacks against three police outposts in October 2016 in northern Rakhine State, killing police officers and innocent people. Well in advance of the large-scale attacks in 2017, the ARSA claimed the lives of Bengali administrators in Rakine State who resisted their terrorist acts. Such violent extremism effectively forces the displacement of the Bengali population to the neighbouring country, along with false hope of resettlement in third countries.
The authorities concerned have the responsibility to respond to those attacks by taking counter terrorism operations in accordance with the Rules of Engagement (RoE) to protect the lives and properties of all affected local communities in Rakhine State.
The mandate of the so-called IIMM intentionally ignores the above-mentioned root causes entirely. Since its creation, it has produced fabricated and distorted narratives with a politically motivated agenda to weaken the state institutions of a sovereign country.
Myanmar therefore reaffirms its non-recognition of the IIMM and categorically rejects the IIMM’s statement issued by its head on 24 August 2026.
Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations
GENEVA