An interview with a Gwa Township resident about the current military situation and socio-economic conditions in the township
The Arakha Army (AA) took control of Kyeintali town in southernmost Gwa Township in Arakan State after military junta troops withdrew on 13 August in the face of AA offensives.
As a result of the fighting in Kyeintali, tens of thousands of residents of Gwa town and surrounding villages were forced to flee on their own to safer areas and the Ayeyarwady Region.
However, the people who have remained in the area are facing great difficulties as the military has blocked and cut off access to the roads. Development Media Group (DMG) conducted this interview with a Gwa Township resident to find out more about the current military situation and socio-economic conditions in the township.
Q: Please tell us what you know about the current military situation in Gwa Township.
A: There is no fighting in Gwa town yet. But since there has been heavy fighting in Kyeintali, which is not far from Gwa, we don’t know when the fighting will break out. On the one hand, there are preparations (by the military council). Gwa is the southernmost part of Arakan State and is closely connected to the Ayeyarwady, so reinforcements are also arriving from the Ayeyarwady side.
Q: What about the displacement of the local population?
A: In Gwa Township, most of the locals have fled their homes. The people from the rural areas have also all fled. They have all fled to Ayeyarwady, Yangon and Pyay. The displaced locals from Thandwe who had sought refuge in Gwa have also moved on to Yangon. But, some of them stayed.
Q: Can you tell us about the current situation in Gwa town?
A: There have been clashes in Kyeintali. Kyeintali is only about 20 miles away from Gwa. So people fled because they feared that fighting could break out in Gwa town anytime. They fled out of fear for their lives. They only took what they could carry. A lot was left behind. In the town, some of those who stayed behind are now breaking into houses.
Q: Why didn’t the remaining residents flee?
A: They stayed because of the financial difficulties. They thought that if fighting broke out on one side, they would flee to the other side and vice versa. The main reason is financial constraints. In addition, there are no shops left to buy food, even for the better-off. Not a single shop is open in the town. So that have to make do with rice only.
Q: What about the junta’s administration in the town?
A: When the fighting broke out in Kyeintali, all the residents fled. The government employees also fled with their families. No one will stay for a small salary in a place where there is no guarantee of security. As there are no more staff, there are no more offices open in Gwa.
Q: What is the situation of the displaced people now that the military has blocked the roads in terms of food supply and living conditions?
A: The remaining displaced people are not receiving any help. There are virtually no groups providing aid. Because of the travel difficulties and arrests, the groups are afraid to work. This has made the situation even worse for the people.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).
