Military reinforcing troops and supplies in Arakan State, residents say

By DMG 12 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
12 December 2022, Sittwe

Despite the latest ceasefire, reached on November 26, the Myanmar military has dispatched reinforcements to some townships in Arakan State over recent days, according to locals.

Around a dozen Myanmar Navy vessels reportedly transported food supplies and military equipment to the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 379 from December 2 to 5.

Meanwhile, food items and military equipment from Minbya were reportedly sent to LIB No. 377 and LIB No. 540 in Mrauk-U in 27 military trucks on December 8 and 9.

In addition, three Myanmar Navy vessels used the Kaladan River to transport food items from Sittwe to the military’s No. 9 Military Operations Command headquarters in Kyauktaw on December 8, and food supplies were sent to Tinma Village in two military vessels on December 9, said a resident of neighbouring Yokethar Village.

“Three of the Myanmar Navy’s vessels transported troops and food items to the military’s No. 9 Military Operations Command headquarters in Kyauktaw. I think there were around 50 junta soldiers. I also saw two vessels loaded with food items and 30 junta soldiers. Food items were sent to Tinma Village in two military vessels on December 9,” said the Yokethar villager, who declined to be named for security reasons.

Food items in military trucks from Mrauk-U-based LIB No. 377 were transported to a military camp near Panmyaung Village in Minbya Township on the morning of December 11.

“Two squads consisting of security personnel were deployed at a location between Mrauk-U and Panmyaung Village. Food items were also transported in five military vehicles and around 20 junta soldiers escorted the military food convoy,” said an unnamed resident of Hsin Oh Village.

Local people have faced various hardships due to the regime’s blockading of land and water routes following renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State starting in August. The military and AA agreed to an informal ceasefire on November 26, but some travel restrictions remain in place.

Veteran Arakanese politician U Pe Than said the Myanmar military is taking advantage of the latest truce to send reinforcements to Arakan State during the ceasefire period.

“When the military is replenished with weapons, it will resume the fighting. If the military takes advantage of this ceasefire, the fighting will return,” he added.

Local residents say they too are worried about a resumption of fighting as the military is sending reinforcements to Arakan State.

DMG attempted to contact regime spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun and Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment, but they could not be reached.