Junta erecting fence to protect naval base in Sittwe: residents

By Admin 14 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 August 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime has been fortifying its positions in the Arakan State capital Sittwe as the conflict zone pitting junta troops against the Arakkha Army (AA) continues to expand.

With the exception of Manaung Township, fighting has been reported in 16 of Arakan State's 17 townships. The AA has seized effective control over nine of those townships, with Maungdaw and Thandwe townships also on the brink of falling into the hands of the AA. Fighting has intensified in Gwa Township as well in recent days.

The regime has been fencing off the riverfront area in Sittwe to protect a naval base near the Arakan State capital's ViewPoint Park, according to residents.

"It has erected posts recently. We don't know why it is fencing," said a Sittwe resident.

The regime has blockaded Sittwe since the latest fighting broke out in Arakan State on November 13 of last year. It has also planted naval mines in the waters near the town.

Another resident said the regime is erecting the fencing in Sittwe to defend against anticipated AA attacks.

"The reason why it is building the fence is clear. It is afraid of AA attacks. There is also a naval base nearby. So, the fence is meant to protect it," he said.

Locals feel increasingly unsafe amid a sense that the regime is fencing them in.

"It is as if we are being caged," said one Sittwe woman. "Locals are getting more anxious. If something [bad] happens in the town, residents will be at the mercy of the regime."

Many residents have fled Sittwe since March as fighting escalated in other Arakan State townships, but others remain in the town as they cannot afford the travel costs required to flee - an endeavour that inevitably involves circumventing the junta blockades.

The regime has also forcibly moved villagers from the township's outlying settlements into Sittwe proper. They fear they will be used as human shields if and when the AA launches an attack on the town.

Junta soldiers have also been searching houses in Sittwe Town, looking for unregistered overnight guests. There have been reports of people who are not Sittwe natives being arrested and for payments thereafter being sought to secure their release.