Junta digs trenches along roads to Sittwe

By Admin 07 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 October 2024, Sittwe

The Myanmar military has dug trenches around the Arakan State capital Sittwe and deployed troops at the new fortifications, sources told DMG. Sittwe is the only town in the northern half of Arakan State that the regime still controls in the face of steady territorial gains by the Arakkha Army (AA) over recent months.

The military has dug trenches along several of the roads to Sittwe, including from Padaleik Village to the Sittwe Regional Operations Command headquarters and from Shwe Mingan Jetty to the entrance to the town.

“Coming from Ponnagyun, there might be around 10 trenches along the road [from Padaleik Village] to the regional operations command,” said one source. “There are also trenches along the road from Yaychanpyin Jetty to the intersection of the Bandula statue. … It is fair to say it has dug trenches around the town.”

The digging of the trenches followed frequent military-AA clashes in Sittwe Township outside of the town limits.

Junta troops previously deployed at positions in rural parts of the township have also withdrawn closer to the town, according to sources.

The regime has stepped up nighttime patrols as well, and maintains a policy of frequent checks on houses in search of unregistered overnight guests.

“Previously, we didn’t see military trucks patrolling after 9 p.m.,” said a Sittwe resident. “They are now patrolling until midnight.”

Military tensions are running high in Sittwe Township following clashes between junta and AA forces, including regime air and artillery attacks along the borders of Sittwe, Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships.