Interview: At the Gwa front in the war for Arakan

By Admin 18 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
18 August 2024, Gwa

The Arakkha Army (AA) has made a claim to Kyeintali after dozens of junta soldiers retreated from the small town in Arakan State's Gwa Township on August 13 amid the ethnic armed group's offensive targeting the town.

Thousands of local people from urban wards in Gwa and nearby villages have fled to safer locations in Arakan State and neighbouring Ayeyarwady Region.

Locals in Gwa Township are facing food security challenges due to junta blockades. In mid-August, DMG interviewed a resident of Gwa regarding the military and social conditions in Gwa Township at that time.

DMG: Please tell me as much as you know about the current military situation in Gwa Township.

Gwa resident: There is no fighting in Gwa Township, but clashes between the military and AA broke out in Kyeintali Town. I don't know when the clashes occurred in Kyeintali. The regime has made military preparations and sent reinforcements to Gwa, the southernmost town in Arakan State bordering Ayeyarwady Region.

DMG: How is the situation of local residents leaving their homes?

Gwa resident: Most local residents including rural people in Gwa have fled to safer locations since the Kyeintali fighting. Local people displaced by fighting in Kyeintali Town have fled to Ayeyarwady Region, Yangon and Pyay. Those displaced by fighting in Thandwe and taking refuge in Gwa also fled to Yangon, but some displaced people remain in Gwa.

DMG: What more can you tell us about the current situation in Gwa?

Gwa resident: Fighting is ongoing in Kyeintali Town. Kyeintali is about 20 miles from Gwa. Local people have fled to safer locations as the fighting could spread to Gwa Township. The displaced people flee in fear and are able to bring only the valuable things. There are reports that some people who remain in Gwa are breaking into houses.

DMG: Why didn't the remaining residents flee?

Gwa resident: Some people have difficulty fleeing their homes due to financial difficulties. They say they will remain in Gwa even if the fighting breaks out in the town. Even rich people are unable to buy food in Gwa and there is no [operational] shop in Gwa.

DMG: What is the state of the regime's administrative mechanisms in Gwa at present?

Gwa resident: All local people have fled Kyeintali since the fighting in the area. Junta employees in Gwa Town fled after the AA launched an assault on neighbouring Kyeintali Town on August 11. All government offices in Kyeintali have been closed.

DMG: What is the status of displaced people's accommodation and food due to the junta blockades?

Gwa resident: Local people who remain in Gwa do not receive assistance. Only a few social organisations provided relief items to the displaced people. The displaced people face more hardships as charities are unable to resume operations due to travel restrictions and arrests.