Myanmar junta fires heavy weapons day and night to deter AA advance toward Sittwe

Mizzima

The Myanmar junta has been firing heavy weapons and small arms continuously since 22 November in an attempt to intimidate and prevent the Arakan Army (AA) from advancing into Sittwe, Rakhine State, residents told Mizzima.

On 22 November, around 500 junta soldiers arrived in Sittwe aboard large vessels from Yangon. From that day through 24 November, the military fired both heavy and small weapons nonstop, day-and-night to block AA forces positioned in the southern part of Ponnagyun Township from pushing toward the Rakhine State capital, according to local sources.

“The junta is firing artillery now. They’re trying to frighten the AA so it cannot move forward. Naval forces are also nearby, and artillery units have been deployed. On 22 November, reinforcements arrived and they started firing around 8 pm, even though there was no fighting. It’s all intimidation. All entry and exit points of the city are blocked, with police and soldiers everywhere. They are searching neighbourhoods and monasteries, and arrests are happening constantly. Anyone suspected of having ties to the AA is detained and taken to prison,” a resident told Mizzima.

Locals said daily searches and checks are being conducted in wards such as Shwe Min Gan, Nazi, Satyonesu, as well as in relief camps and monasteries. At least 10 people have been arrested in these areas so far in November.