Junta fortifies Sittwe as AA forces close in

By Admin 13 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 November 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar's military regime is fortifying the Arakan State capital Sittwe to defend against anticipated attacks from the Arakkha Army (AA), according to sources close to DMG.

"The regime has reportedly demolished at least 50 homes near a police outpost in Sittwe's Setyonsu Ward to build a stronghold. The regime also dug trenches around the police outpost and sent reinforcements," said one source.

Sittwe's Setyonsu Ward is home to thousands of low-income residents.

"People whose homes were demolished by the regime are currently taking refuge at monasteries and relatives' homes. During such a difficult time, their homes were demolished and the evictees are facing accommodation difficulties," said a Sittwe resident.

The regime has reportedly fortified the rest of the police stations in Sittwe as well, and is reinforcing its manpower in the Arakan State capital.

In August, the regime began erecting a fence along the waterfront area in front of the junta's naval base in Sittwe. The regime also beefed up security in Sittwe following a clash with the AA in rural Sittwe Township on August 30.

"This much is clear: If the Western Command in Ann and Maungdaw are lost to the AA, the regime knows in advance that the ethnic armed group will attack Sittwe [thereafter]. This is the reason why the regime is preparing a defence in Sittwe," said a social activist in Arakan State.

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 junta blockades.

There are sporadic skirmishes between the military and the AA in Sittwe Township and military tensions between the two sides are running high.