The military junta has killed 11 civilians and destroyed 100 houses in Byian Phyu village near Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. The raid, reportedly conducted last week, was part of a search for evidence of support for the Arakan Army (AA), which is actively deploying forces around Sittwe.
Eyewitnesses describe the brutality of the operation. "Soldiers checked every cell phone for any links to the AA," said Sittwe resident Ko Lu Hman to Irrawaddy. During the raid, all villagers of Byian Phyu were forced into a field while their houses were thoroughly searched. The military's actions were thorough and ruthless, as they sought to root out any connections to the AA.
Around 30 villagers were taken into custody and transported to Sittwe, joining over 400 Sittwe civilians detained since April over alleged AA links. Reports indicate that the abductions have spread to surrounding villages, amplifying the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the region.
Villagers endured harsh conditions, held in the sun without food throughout Thursday. On Friday, approximately 150 villagers were moved to Wingaber field in Sittwe for further interrogation, while the remaining villagers were held near Byian Phyu. The junta's tactics have not only been violent but also systematically oppressive.

In a related act of destruction, junta troops bulldozed the 100-house Shwe Min Gan village to the east of Sittwe. This village, home to around 800 people and a naval base, saw its residents detained if they could not produce Sittwe national registration cards. The devastation left many homeless and in dire conditions.

Currently, nine out of 17 Rakhine townships, including Mrauk-U, Minbya, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, and Buthidaung, are under AA control. Clashes between the AA and junta forces have now extended south to Thandwe Township, signaling a widening conflict.

BOB Post