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RAKHINE STATE – The Arakan Army’s spokesperson Mr. Khaing Thukha stated that the terrorist military council, which is losing the war in Rakhine, does not allow residents of Sittwe to travel and is keeping them as hostages.
Without any ongoing fights in Sittwe City, junta troops destroyed bridges and roads and blew up the bridge at the city entrance. Moreover, the residents are not allowed to go outside the town, stated Mr. Khaing Thukha.
At present, the residents of Sittwe are in a situation where they have been kidnapped and held hostage by the military council.
Mr. Khaing Thukha also said that opening heavy weapons fire against those civilians (and buildings) they are holding as hostages is an inhumane act and a flagrant violation of war crimes.
Last February 29, around 8:10 a.m., twelve innocent civilians were killed on the spot, 31 were seriously injured and nearly 50 civilians received minor injuries
due to the heavy weapon fire from the junta council’s naval warship near Sittwe Town, as announced by the Rakhine (Arakan) National Federation.