The military council has relocated the families of military personnel from Buthidaung to Sittwe in Arakan State by military helicopters, according to locals.
The regime relocated military and police families from Buthidaung to Sittwe on 5 and 6 February, a Buthidaung resident said.
“They have already taken wives and children of soldiers and police living in their quarters to Sittwe by helicopters. They make eight to ten flights a day. Sometimes they also use Mi-series helicopters. It looks like they are transporting the officers’ families in these helicopters,” said the Buthidaung resident.
The junta may have relocated their families out of fear as there have been armed clashes near Buthidaung town and there are rumours that the Arakan Army (AA) is planning attacks on the Military Operations Commands 15 (MOC-15) based in Buthidaung, the resident added.
The remaining battalions of the military junta, including MOC-15, are shelling areas in the vicinity of the town as well as Kyauktaw and Rathedaung with multiple rocket systems daily. On 15 February , artillery shells fired by junta battalions in Buthidaung hit Kha Naung Gyi in Rathedaung Township, a local from Rathedaung said.
“The military and police battalions based in Buthidaung fire artillery almost every day. Yesterday as well, the shells they fired landed in Kha Naung Gyi village,” the local said.
According to military sources, about ten battalions under the MOC-15 and three police battalions remain in Buthidaung.
According to locals, the military council began relocating the families of military personnel from Kyaukphyu Township by cargo ships on 5 February.
Fearing the threat of fighting, the families of military council officers in Sittwe and the families of departmental officers have been moved to Yangon.
Departmental and private vehicles have also been moved to Yangon by cargo ships since the last week of January, according to local residents.
Sent by Narinjara.