The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has increased to 3,000 due to the ongoing fighting in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, according to those assisting the IDPs.
The fleeing IDPs are from villages near Sittwe, as well as Set Yone Su, Shwe Pyi Thar, Mingan, and Set Yoe Kya wards in Sittwe. The total number of IDPs has surpassed 3,000, consisting of over 750 households.
“Due to the intense fighting, the number of IDPs fleeing from Sittwe Township has significantly increased. They are facing great hardships, fleeing with only the clothes on their backs. They are struggling with a lack of food and shelter,” said writer Wai Hun Aung, who is working on IDP affairs.
According to a statement from the Arakha Army (AA) on 20 January, the military council has intensified its airstrikes, shelling, drone strikes, and sniper attacks, targeting civilian villages in Sittwe Township.
On 20 January, the junta forces based in Kant Kaw Kyun village in Sittwe conducted drone bomb attacks on War Bo village, burning down several civilian houses, according to the statement.
Currently, the IDPs from Sittwe are scattered across Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Kyauktaw Townships. With a large number of displaced people, they are in urgent need of clothes, blankets, shelter, and medicine.
“The military council has carried out more arrests. Life becomes unbearable for those who are arrested by junta soldiers. As a result, people are fleeing by any means possible. They were unable to bring anything with them, fleeing with only the clothes on their backs. The IDP camps here are struggling to accommodate the increasing number of displaced people, and they are facing many difficulties,” said an IDP from Sittwe.
The military council is conducting daily shelling, airstrikes, naval attacks, and drone strikes on villages in Sittwe, where civilians reside.
In addition, the military council and Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) members have arrested, killed and extorted some locals in wards in Sittwe.
The number of IDPs has surpassed 600,000 following more than a year of fighting in Arakan State. According to the IDPs, they are facing significant hardships due to limited aid and scarce employment opportunities.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)
