Regime recruits Muslim militiamen to bolster Sittwe defences

By Admin 04 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 August 2026, Sittwe

Facing military setbacks across Arakan State, the military regime is continuing to recruit Muslim youths for militia training and collect monthly fees from households as it prepares to strengthen its defences in Sittwe.

In late July, the Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs ordered that five Muslim wards connected to Aung Mingalar Ward each provide 20 youths every month, at a rate of one person per household, for people's militia training.

"There is recruitment for military service in Aung Mingalar Ward in Sittwe, and we have seen pamphlets posted. They are making it mandatory to provide at least 20 people from each ward. In addition, they are collecting K10,000 per month from each household to support the military trainees," a Muslim resident of Sittwe told DMG.

Following the directive from the Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs, the commander of the Regional Operations Command (ROC) met with 22 Muslim ward elders on July 29 and decided to recruit 20 youths each month from the five wards connected to Aung Mingalar Ward.

Previously, the military had recruited up to 30 youths from each Muslim ward.

The regime has been continuously recruiting Muslims in Sittwe Township for military training since 2024, when the conscription law was enacted.

"Previously, Muslims in Sittwe had to provide 30 people from each ward, at a rate of one person per household. There are about 900 households in our Aung Mingalar Ward," another Muslim resident said.

Conscription notices signed by the people's militia officer in charge of the Regional Operations Command have also been issued in Muslim villages, including Aung Mingalar Ward.

Military recruitment is also taking place in Muslim wards in Sittwe as well as in Thelchaung, Bumay and Thetkelpyin villages.

"Recruiting Muslims for military service has been going on for a long time, but now they are pursuing it much more aggressively. We keep hearing that the Arakan Army is preparing to launch an offensive on Sittwe from all directions, and we believe the regime intends to use Muslim youths as human shields on the front lines. Clashes are already occurring frequently near Sittwe," a Sittwe resident said.

While earlier clashes were concentrated in villages bordering Ponnagyun Township, including Wahbo, Tawkan, Kyarmathauk and Khamaungtaw, fighting has also spread to Yaychanpyin Village on the Rathedaung Township side.

As clashes move closer to Sittwe, the regime has intensified pressure on Muslims through forced recruitment, assigning them to guard villages and deploying them in fighting against the Arakan Army.

Clashes between the military junta and the Arakan Army continue near Sittwe, and the regime has strengthened security and military preparations inside the Arakan State capital amid concerns that Arakan Army troops could advance toward the city.