Thinzar Nwe — The junta army personnel have been burning the remaining houses in Rakhine villages outside Sittwe, including a monastery, after demolishing and selling those to businessmen.

On 21 February at  around 3 pm, the military men  entered Thinbontan village under  Sittwe township and set 23 houses on fire, said local sources to Arakan Global Network (AGN) and One Nation News.

When Narinjara News tried to find out more information, a local resident stated that most of the village-houses were  destroyed and even sold in 2024. The soldiers are now burning the remaining structures. Everything is being destroyed now, he added.

Earlier, the soldiers forcefully removed the residents  from nearly 20 villages from the outskirts of Sittwe. They demolished some houses and sold some of those to Muslim businessmen. The remaining houses are now being burnt down.

"They are destroying all these buildings out of fear from the Arakan Army (AA) fighters. They are targeting the probable shelters for AA fighters following rumours of impending attacks. The junta forces are also planting more mines in the area," added the resident.

The destroyed houses in Thin Pon Tan village are  located near the 100-bed Sittwe hospital.

In 2024, the soldiers relocated many villagers and with the help of their Muslim allies they also looted the families. Later the houses were  demolished, sold and also burnt down.

Residents from Maung Ni Pyin, Aung Taing, Pin Lin Pyin, Pyar Lai Chaung and villages along the Ye Chan Pyin road, including Thin Pon Tan village near the hospital on the Sittwe-Ye Chan Pyin road, were relocated to the city by June 2024.

Due to the forced evictions, villagers had to abandon their houses in September 2024. They are now residing in Sittwe monasteries.

The villagers were removed citing an imminent attack by the AA fighters. Meanwhile, the  military assumed control of their positions and fortified them.