Myanmar government forces clashed with an unidentified Rakhine ethnic armed group in western Rakhine state on April 17 as the government troops were patrolling in some areas of the state for security reason, according to Xinhua on April 18.
Upon receiving information that the Rakhine armed group had infiltrated into the Paletwa area, the government forces engaged in fighting with the group at Pinlong village and at a highland area near Aung Lan Chaung village on the first day of Myanmar new year, according to a local official report.
The report claimed that the Rakhine armed group has been retreating, adding that the government forces continued to comb the areas in order to prevent such infiltration.
The clashes took place when Myanmar government forces were also battling the Kokang ethnic armed forces in northeastern Shan state during Myanmar's water festival period which lasted from April 13 to 16.