Residents seek to escape Sittwe, Kyaukphyu after AA announces planned offensive

By Admin 13 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 April 2024, Sittwe

Residents are leaving junta-controlled Sittwe and Kyaukphyu after Arakan Army (AA) chief Major-General Twan Mrat Naing told them to do so on Wednesday ahead of planned assaults on the towns.

One Kyaukphyu resident said: “Residents have fled since last month. Since the AA chief has told them to evacuate, the remaining people are leaving the town by any means possible. But some families who can’t afford to flee will have to stay in the town.”

It costs residents more than 100,000 kyats per head to leave Kyaukphyu town, said residents. Those who can’t afford to leave remain in the town.

Residents are also trying to leave Sittwe, the seat of the junta administration in Arakan State, and the town is largely deserted, said residents.

“Civilians are trying to leave the town after the AA chief has urged them to evacuate. However, they can’t as the regime has tightened security. A few have managed to leave the town. People are not going outside much after the AA chief announced planned attacks,” said a Sittwe resident.

It costs Sittwe residents 200,000 to 300,000 kyats per head to leave the town, and large families can’t afford the costs.

The AA has seized eight townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State since launching the offensive in November of last year. Fighting has been raging in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ann and Taungup townships.

The AA has told Arakanese residents to brace for “the decisive battle” in Arakan State.