Myanmar’s military has been evacuating villages near the capital of the western state of Rakhine in preparation for potential attacks by the Arakan Army, a rebel group that has been gaining control of the surrounding area. The Arakan Army, predominantly made up of the Muslim Rohingya minority, has seized nine out of 17 townships in Rakhine and one in adjacent Chin state. If they capture Sittwe, the state capital, it would be the first state capital to fall to rebel forces.
Residents of the targeted villages have been given a short deadline to evacuate and move to Sittwe and its suburbs, as the military fortifies the area with landmines, fences, and watchtowers. Reports indicate that 12 villages along the Kywee Tae river are scheduled for demolition by the military, following the forced displacement of their residents.
The situation in Rakhine remains tense, with restrictions on movement making it difficult to verify information. The United Nations Secretary-General has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Myanmar, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law. The conflict between pro-democracy guerrillas, ethnic minority armed forces, and the military rulers who seized power in 2021 continues to ravage the country, with Rakhine emerging as a key battleground.
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