Residents claim that the junta is compelling local Muslims to tear down houses in 17 Arakanese villages within Sittwe Township and sell the rubble as firewood in Sittwe, aiming to provoke ethnic animosity and strife.
An elder from Sittwe Township remarked, "The junta forces are employing different tactics to incite ethnic hatred and generate conflicts. At present, Muslims are being compelled to tear down houses in 17 Arakanese villages and sell the debris as firewood in Sittwe. They are selling the wood they cannot transport as charcoal. What they are doing is genuinely unacceptable."
The elder elaborated that the junta troops have removed residents from these 17 Arakanese villages near Sittwe due to security concerns. The junta is employing a "kill two birds with one stone" approach by compelling Muslims to tear down houses that are still unoccupied.
"How can homeowners bear to witness the demolition of their homes, constructed with their hard-earned finances?" he remarked. "The junta is not only inciting animosity between the two ethnic groups but also profiting by selling the properties. It's a strategy that accomplishes two goals at once.
The 17 villages impacted include Palin Pyin, Aung Taing, Kyet Taw Pyin, Kywi Te Pike Seik Gyi, Kywi Te Pike Seik Nge, Ohn Yae Phaw, Pyar Le Chaung, Thin Pone Tan, Maung Ni Pyin, Ah Myint Kyun, Byine Phyu, Kyay Taw, Shwe Pyi Thar, Kyauk Tan, Kyar Ma Tauk, Par Da Leik, and Yae Chan Pyin. These villagers were removed from their homes between mid-2024 and early 2025.
Local residents report that junta troops are currently positioned in several of these villages, benefiting from the destruction and sale of houses.
A community elder stated, "The homes in villages close to Sittwe, from which residents were displaced by the junta forces, are being sold to Muslims." The Muslims are tearing down the homes and selling the timber as firewood to the Arakanese in Sittwe. Lacking electricity in Sittwe, there is great demand for firewood and charcoal, leading them to exploit this opportunity.
The activity extends beyond the villages surrounding Sittwe. In the city and its surrounding areas, some dishonest people are tearing down vacant homes of those who have escaped the conflict and selling the wood as firewood. Residents assert that junta troops are also participating in these activities.
Since the renewed conflict started in November 2023, Sittwe has lacked electricity, leading residents to depend on firewood and charcoal for their cooking needs. This lack has led to a significant increase in the prices of these resources.
A villager revealed that entire communities have been cleared as homes are torn down and sold.
The villager stated, "The military junta is concerned that the Arakan Army (AA) might seize control of Sittwe, prompting them to mandate the evacuation of 17 villages surrounding the city. They assert that the houses need to be torn down to stop AA members from concealing themselves in them. The military sells the homes to Muslims, who collect the poles and planks, with some even shipping them back to the military. The wood they are unable to transport is cut into firewood, which they subsequently sell in the city.
While there hasn't been significant combat between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces in Sittwe, military tensions are still escalating in some areas.
