Junta occupies homes, buildings as it strengthens Sittwe defences

By Admin 06 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

6 August 2026, Sittwe

As fighting draws closer to Sittwe, the military junta has intensified security in the Arakan State capital by occupying residential homes and other buildings to station troops, according to local residents.

Since July, junta troops have occupied houses and buildings near Sat Yoe Kya Bridge in Sittwe and turned them into forward military positions.

"Junta troops are positioning themselves near Sat Yoe Kya Bridge along the main road in Sittwe. Soldiers have occupied hostel buildings near the Wave Karaoke shop. They have also reportedly instructed homeowners to remove their belongings, warning that anything left behind will be used by the regime," said a source familiar with the situation in Sittwe.

As Sittwe remains the junta's last major stronghold in northern Arakan State, the Arakan Army has encircled the city, while the regime has reinforced its defences with bunkers and additional troop deployments around the outskirts.

To prevent the Arakan Army from advancing into Sittwe, the regime installed razor wire around parts of the city, including the Strand Road and ViewPoint Beach, in August 2024.

By April 2025, heavily fortified bunkers had been built at those locations and several other sites across the city. The regime has since expanded its presence by occupying buildings in areas it believes could be used by the Arakan Army to enter Sittwe.

"As the fighting gets closer, the regime will likely intensify its security measures even further. Civilians inside Sittwe are already unable to leave the city, and there are concerns that the regime could end up using not only residential buildings but also local residents as human shields," a Sittwe resident said.

Although the Arakan Army continues to encircle Sittwe, large-scale ground fighting has yet to reach the city. However, both sides continue to exchange heavy artillery fire, while the Arakan Army has launched intermittent offensives around the city's outskirts.

In late July, the Arakan Army launched offensives near Yaychanpyin Village, gradually advancing towards Sittwe before the fighting temporarily subsided.

"Although clashes are taking place on the outskirts, no fighting has broken out inside Sittwe itself. People are still moving around the city as usual. However, the regime regularly conducts overnight guest list checks and arrests anyone it considers suspicious," another Sittwe resident said.

As the Arakan Army maintains pressure on Sittwe from surrounding areas, the regime has further tightened security throughout the city and along the coastline.

On August 3, junta forces opened fire on three internally displaced people fishing at sea along the border between Sittwe and Rathedaung townships, killing one of them.

Sittwe serves as the administrative capital of Arakan State. If the city falls, the entire state would come under Arakan Army control, making its defence a strategic priority for the military.