Nearly a Dozen Muslims Arrested in Sittwe; One Detained Upon Arrival from Yangon

Narinjara News, May 9, 2026

Military authorities have reportedly arrested 11 people from several Muslim villages and IDP camps in Sittwe Township, including a man detained immediately after landing on a flight from Yangon.

Among those taken into custody is 42-year-old Suli, a resident of Thandawli Muslim village. A local source told Narinjara that Suli was intercepted by the military intelligence unit, known as Sa Ya Fa, as he disembarked at Sittwe Airport on May 3.

"He returned to Sittwe from Yangon by plane. As soon as he stepped off that day, military intelligence arrested him, claiming they needed to 'check' something. He has not been released since," the source said.

The wave of arrests continued later that evening. Joint military and police forces entered Lham Chey village, where they detained Maung Bu Chey (also known as Zaw Mi), the son of the village headman, along with another resident.

Between May 1 and May 5, a total of 11 Muslim villagers—including several women—were detained across Thet Kae Pyin, Don Pyin Taung, Thandawli, and Let Ma Chey villages, as well as local IDP camps.

Sources close to the families report that none of the detainees have been allowed contact with their relatives, and their current whereabouts remain unknown.

Relatives said they still don't know why they were arrested.