Food supplies purportedly for Sittwe civilians end up with junta battalions

By Admin 11 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
11 May 2024, Sittwe

The regime shipped tonnes of consumer goods and foodstuffs to Sittwe on May 7, purportedly for residents in the Arakan State capital. The goods, however, ended up at junta battalions instead, according to residents.

The regime said it had sent a cargo ship carrying more than 1,500 tonnes of food, consumer goods, cooking oil, medicines, building materials and charcoal for the benefit of civilians in Sittwe.

Most of the goods ended up with junta battalions, and the regime was simply supplying its troops on the pretext of aiding civilians, Sittwe residents complain.

“The regime said goods have arrived, but prices haven’t declined. Only the businessmen that are partnering with the regime are reaping benefits. And most of the food supplies ended up in battalions,” said a resident.

The price of fuel has increased from 3,000 kyats per litre before the latest fighting began in November to 22,000 kyats now. The price of the Paw Hsan Hmwe rice variety has also increased, from 90,000 kyats to 240,000 kyats, and the prices of other goods have in some cases tripled.

A woman from Kone Tan Ward in Sittwe said: “Residents can go nowhere as roads are blocked. And food prices have not declined though they said goods have arrived. Sittwe has been isolated by the regime. As people can’t buy firewood now, they have to tear down wooden houses and use them as firewood.”

Sittwe is supplied by a power station in Ponnagyun town. It has been two months since Sittwe lost access to that electricity after fighting broke out in Ponnagyun.

The regime is preparing for an impending attack by the AA, according to observers. 

“The regime will not give away Sittwe easily. It has been reinforcing its junta battalions with soldiers, weapons and food supplies. Residents who remain in Sittwe can be seriously affected if fighting breaks out,” said an Arakanese politician.

DMG was unable to contact U Hla Thein, spokesman for the Arakan State military council.

The regime has tightened security on the streets of Sittwe, the administrative seat of Arakan State. An estimated two-thirds of town residents have fled the town for fear of fighting, and the rest are trapped in the town due to financial difficulties or for other reasons.

The AA chief in April told Sittwe and Kyaukphyu residents to evacuate their homes as the ethnic armed group is preparing for a decisive battle to drive junta troops out of Arakan State.