US calls for end to internet shutdown in Rakhine, Chin states

US calls for end to Rakhine internet shutdown

The United State has called for internet to be restored in western Myanmar, in Rakhine and Chin states. According to a Reuters article, Morgan Ortagus, the State Department spokeswoman, said that the US was “deeply concerned” by the blackout of internet services for more than a week. She expressed that a move would help provide transparency for the issues there. Ortagus called for internet services to be restored “without delay”. Rakhine and Chin State, have been the scene of fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in recent months. On June 22, Telenor Group released a statement saying that Ministry of Transport and Communications had ordered a temporary shutdown of internet services in western Myanmar. They cited “disturbances of peace and the use of the internet to coordinate illegal activities”. A military spokesman has denied that the army is behind the blackout.

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