High-ranking junta officials, fearing an imminent offensive by the Arakan Army (AA), are reportedly forcing government employees in Sittwe to attend their offices as human shields, according to sources within the junta’s administrative circle.
Those government employees are reportedly no longer allowed to travel to other regions from Sittwe, even with written approval from departmental authorities, making it impossible for them to flee to safer areas to escape the conflict.
Forcing employees to work under these conditions and compelling them to remain in Sittwe as human shields is being criticized by junta staff as a preemptive plan to use civilians as a protective barrier in case of an offensive by the Arakan Army (AA).
“No one in Sittwe is allowed to travel anymore. However, the families and children of the officials have already relocated to Yangon. Those who can afford it have also moved to safer areas. Only the vulnerable staff are left behind to face the danger. The junta is forcing employees to attend work with the ill intention of using them as human shields if the Arakan Army launches an attack,” said an employee from the State Agricultural Development Bank in Sittwe, speaking to Border News Agency.
The junta-appointed Chief Minister of Rakhine State, U Htein Lin, and his team reportedly met with employees of the State Agricultural Development Bank and the State Religious Affairs Department on January 14, according to staff members.
During the meeting, they reportedly pressured employees to attend work daily without fail, refrain from fleeing as conflict escalates, remain loyal to the state, and avoid contacting or sharing information with the Arakan Army (AA). Staff members described the directives as coercive and threatening.
In addition, staff from other departments in Sittwe, including healthcare and education, are also being coerced and threatened to report to work. Employees stated that resignation letters from departmental staff are not being accepted by the authorities.
“We are afraid of dying if fighting breaks out in Sittwe. That’s why we submitted resignation letters to flee the conflict, but they were not accepted. The list of all employees in Sittwe has been handed over to the airport authorities. Anyone on that list is not allowed to board a flight. The airport won’t grant permission to leave. They are forcing us to stay as human shields,” said an employee from the State Religious Affairs Department in Sittwe, speaking to Border News Agency.
Residents of Arakan report that the junta forces, fearing a potential offensive by the Arakan Army (AA) on Sittwe, have been conducting airstrikes and artillery shelling in the area.
Residents of Arakan have reported that junta forces are carrying out airstrikes and artillery shelling in several areas near Sittwe Township, including Rathedaung Township, Moe Sae Kyun, the eastern banks of the Kaladan River in Pauktaw Township, and the southern villages of Ponnakyun Township.
In the decisive battle for Arakan, the Arakan Army (AA) has successfully captured and taken control of several strategic regions, including the Paletwa area, and towns such as Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnakyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Minbrar, Myaybon, Pauktaw, Rambree, Thandwe, Taunggoke, Ann, and Gwa.
Residents of Arakan report that the remaining towns of Sittwe, Kyaukphru, and Manaung are under intense military control by the junta forces. Due to ongoing tensions in these areas, it is believed that the junta is deliberately targeting civilian locations with airstrikes and artillery.
