Junta threatens to cut off supplies for Muslim IDP draft-dodgers in Sittwe

By Admin 04 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
4 June 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has told Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) in Sittwe Township to fight for it or have their supplies cut off.

The regime has reportedly threatened that it will cut off financial assistance provided by international organisations if the Muslim IDPs refuse to join its military training.

Each Muslim IDP in question receives 42,000 kyats per month from international organisations. The regime told IDP camps that they would only receive the money if only one person per household joins its military training.

“We were told that we would not get our monthly supplies if we don’t join military training. So, some have joined the military training for fear that they would otherwise starve,” said a woman from the Thakkel Pyin IDP camp who asked for anonymity.

The regime summoned 15 Muslims each from Bu May, Thae Chaung, Bar Sar, Dar Paing, Thakkel Pyin and Ohn Taw Gyi IDP camps in Sittwe Township in May.

Many Muslim IDPs say they have no choice but to listen to the regime as they are jobless with no income, as well as reliant on assistance and healthcare services from international humanitarian agencies due to the junta’s restrictions.

Only the family members of the Muslims who have joined the junta’s military training have received 42,000 kyats supplied by international agencies, according to IDPs.

“The first group of 50 people were given the money on Saturday. The rest have not yet received it,” said a Muslim man.

The Muslim IDPs are mainly supplied by the WFP, ICRC, Save the Children and MSF among other international organisations. International agencies have to deliver aid through the regime, according to nongovernmental organisation (NGO) sources.

“If NGOs want to provide humanitarian assistance in towns held by the regime, they have to hand over all the supplies to the regime. And they have to wait for months to get the regime’s approval,” said a NGO staff member.

The regime also forcibly recruited hundreds of Muslims from January to March. Muslims underwent 14 days of military training at the regional operations command in Sittwe. They were then assigned to different areas.

One political analyst said: “The regime is on the brink of losing the entire Arakan State to the AA. It is therefore propping up its army with Muslims. The regime is using either coercion or incentives to recruit Muslims.”

DMG was unable to obtain comment from junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun and the junta’s Arakan State military council spokesman U Hla Thein about allegations of the regime exploiting relief supplies to recruit Muslims.

The Muslim IDPs in Sittwe Township were displaced by inter-communal strife in 2012.