Regime conscripts dozens of Muslims from Sittwe displacement camps

By Admin 29 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 May 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has been conscripting some internally displaced people (IDPs) from Muslim displacement camps in Arakan State’s Sittwe Township including Bumay, Thaechaung, Barsar, Darpaing, Thakkalpyin, and Ohntaw through a lottery system since May 25.

Junta soldiers and police met Muslim displacement camp officials on May 19 and began conscripting 15 Muslims from each displacement camp on May 25.

“No one wants to attend the military training. This is the reason why Muslim conscripts were chosen via the lottery system. Fifteen Muslim men were taken to a military regiment and we cannot flee to avoid conscription,” said a Muslim man from Thakkalpyin IDP camp.

The regime trained 1,000 Muslims from Sittwe Township in February and March and sent them to the front line to fight the Arakkha Army (AA). Some have died in clashes.

Many Muslim conscripts were sent straight to the front line after just two weeks of basic military training. Some were assigned to provide security in villages.

“Some Muslim conscripts were assigned to guard junta naval bases, police stations, checkpoints and battalions after two weeks of basic military training and some were sent to the front lines. Muslims are afraid of attending the military training,” said a Muslim IDP man.

The regime is sending the military-trained Muslim militiamen to the battlefield to resist the AA offensive, and battles for control of Rathedaung and Buthidaung have resulted in the deaths of junta soldiers as well as some Muslim militiamen.

The militiamen have been given the authority to arrest and detain civilians in addition to reporting to junta officials if they find anything suspicious in the community.

“The regime has reinforced manpower for defence,” said U Pe Than, a military and political analyst. “As the people are being recruited unfairly, they are suffering more and want to revolutionise against the regime. The people of the Muslim community also know these things. I also understand that they are caught between two sides.”

Junta spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun could not be reached for comment regarding the matter.

The regime has orchestrated Muslim protests against the AA in Sittwe and Buthidaung towns in an attempt to create racial conflicts in Arakan State.

Both Arakanese and Muslim communities have called for caution as the regime is attempting to incite racial conflicts after losing significant ground in the fighting in Arakan State.