By: Hafizur Rahman
August 7, 2025 — Sittwe, Arakan State
The Myanmar military has launched intensified drone and artillery attacks on multiple villages surrounding Sittwe town, raising fears of further destruction, displacement, and civilian casualties in Arakan State. The assaults, which began in early August, appear to be part of a preemptive military strategy to deny the Arakan Army (AA) potential cover in the event of renewed clashes in the region.
Local residents report that surveillance drones and drone bombs have been deployed alongside long-range artillery, striking targeted villages believed to lie along key movement routes between Sittwe and Ponnagyun Township.
“Villages near Sittwe and Ponnagyun are bombed by drones if within range. If not, they use heavy artillery,” said one resident. “These aren’t random strikes. They are watching from above and choosing specific areas.”
Tactical Bombardment from Military Bases
Sources confirm that artillery shells were fired from a newly built base near the Shwe Min Gan naval camp, with attacks reported in and around Zawmadat, Kan Kauk Kyun, and Yatan. Other heavily affected villages include:
- Kin Maw
- Yay Yoe Pyin
- War Bo
- Taw Kan
- Kha Maung Taw
- Kan Kyun
- Myay Kyun Thar
In War Bo village, a local clinic, school, and dozens of homes have reportedly been destroyed by drone-launched bombs, leaving families without shelter or access to basic services.
“They Want to Clear the Villages Before the Fighting Starts”
Residents and observers believe the military’s intention is to depopulate the outskirts of Sittwe, effectively converting the area into an open battlefield ahead of a potential AA offensive.
“Sittwe doesn’t have forests or mountains like other areas,” said a local resident. “If fighting breaks out, villages would be the only places to take cover. The military wants to destroy that advantage before the fighting even begins.”
Civilians Caught in Crossfire, Again
The Myanmar military’s strategy reflects a pattern of scorched-earth tactics—targeting civilian infrastructure not only to weaken opposition forces but to instill fear and disrupt the social fabric of communities. Many villagers have already fled, while others remain trapped amid ongoing shelling and surveillance.
Humanitarian organizations have warned of a looming displacement crisis, particularly for already vulnerable populations—including Rohingya communities living in peripheral villages and IDP camps near the conflict zones.
With no clear ceasefire and military buildup on both sides, the risk of a full-scale battle in Sittwe Township grows by the day—placing thousands of civilians directly in harm’s way.
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