A/HRC/39/CRP.2 4. (a) Perpetrators Tatmadaw 1245. The “clearance operations” were led by the Tatmadaw. Tatmadaw soldiers were sighted in every “clearance operation” verified by the Mission. The Tatmadaw was in the lead throughout these attacks and bore greatest responsibility for violations perpetrated. They were responsible for the majority of killings, both indiscriminate and targeted, and were responsible for the incidents of mass killing and mass gang rapes. They were also responsible for other violations, including the widespread destruction of properties through fire, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and the forced displacement of the Rohingya. Rohingya villagers had little difficulty in identifying the involvement of Tatmadaw soldiers, with clear recognition of their uniform and other identifying characteristics. 1246. The Mission has maintained a list of names of individual Tatmadaw officers and soldiers who participated in the “clearance operations”, including in specific incidents of mass killing. 1247. The manner in which the Tatmadaw implemented the “clearance operations” required a significant amount of logistical planning. The joint nature of the operations, combined with the deployment of the LIDs, indicates pre-planning at the highest level.2806 The issue of command responsibility is addressed in chapter IX below. Western Regional Military Command 1248. Units of the Western Command, the Regional Command responsible for Rakhine State, were directly involved throughout the “clearance operations” in the perpetration of violations against the civilian population. Military units were shifted from other military bases and attached to Military Operational Command (MOC)-15, with Buthidaung as area of responsibility. It appears that as many as nine battalions from other Western Regional Command units were attached to MOC-15, as well as one armoured brigade consisting of up to 60 tanks and armoured personnel carriers. 2807 1249. Certain military bases of the Western Command were specifically involved in certain areas of the “clearance operations”. Of note is the prominent role of troops from Light Infantry Battalion 564, which has a large base in Chin Tha Mar village tract, in the Maung Nu mass killing, as well as in “clearance operations” in the villages of the Taung Bazaar area of Buthidaung Township. The Mission also notes the role of Light Infantry Battalion 552, located in Nga Yant Chaung village tract, in the same “clearance operations” in the Taung Bazaar area. On 20 September 2017, Commander-in-Chief, Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing travelled to Rakhine State where he visited the troops of base 552.2808 2806 2807 2808 308 Joint Operations are operations involving two or more of the military branches, Army, Navy and/or Air Force. KI-002. Website of Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing, “Gallant efforts to defend the HQ against terrorist attacks and brilliant efforts to restore regional peace, security are honoured” (21 September 2017), https://www.seniorgeneralminaunghlaing.com.mm/en/1346/gallant-efforts-to-defend-the-hq-againstterrorist-attacks-and-brilliant-efforts-to-restore-regional-peace-security-are-honoured/ (accessed September 2018).