Photo: Muslims released from Yangon under an amnesty arriving in Sittwe, April 2020.
The junta intends to provide 45 days of military training to young and middle-aged Muslims who have been released from Insein Prison and are back in Sittwe, aiming to use them in the current conflicts in Sittwe.
More than 900 Muslims, released from Insein Prison, reached Sittwe on February 19. They are presently being housed in junta battalions.
A man from Arakan with ties to the junta administration informed Narinjara News that women and elderly individuals among those released will be accommodated in Muslim IDP camps located in Sittwe Township. In comparison, younger males will complete 45 days of military training and are anticipated to be sent to the conflict with the Arakan Army (AA).
Muslims who were freed from Insein Prison have been allocated to battalions in Sittwe and provided with housing. Individuals in their middle age and youth are being urged to participate in military training. The elders were informed that they will be relocated to Muslim IDP camps, but for the moment, they stay in the battalions," he stated.
Those who came to Sittwe included people from Sittwe itself and also from the AA-controlled townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
Moreover, concerning the Sittwe confrontations, the junta is seeking military training for Muslims from approximately 10 Muslim villages, including Aung Mingalar Ward and Bu May Ward in Sittwe, as well as Thae Chaung, Let Ma Chey, and Thin Ga Net villages in Sittwe Township. This request is being made via the elders of the 100-house group and village officials.
A young man from Arakan, who is connected to the Muslim community, informed Narinjara News that the junta intends to offer 45 days of training to individuals who consent to join after being persuaded by the military.
"Prior to the conflict commencing in Sittwe, the junta initiated the recruitment of Muslims from these villages for military training. Some left, whereas others stayed. Now, the junta intends to offer training to individuals who have consented," he stated.
Sources close to the military indicated that Muslims who had already undergone military training are part of those being selected for further training.
The places where Muslims will receive military training consist of the Regional Operations Command (ROC), 12th Police Battalion, 36th Police Battalion, 20th Infantry Battalion, 270th Infantry Battalion, and 232nd Infantry Battalion.
A military associate from Arakan claimed that the junta has equipped and trained around 5,000 to 7,000 Muslims in Sittwe Township.
Nonetheless, Narinjara News has been unable to confirm the precise figure.
There are reports of injuries among junta troops amid shelling confrontations between AA and junta forces on the outskirts of Sittwe. Among the deceased and injured are Muslims who had received military training.
Security measures have been enhanced at the entry and exit points of these military battalions. The junta has strengthened its checkpoints, especially in regions where the Arakan Army (AA) has launched artillery attacks, using military-trained Muslims.
In December 2024, the junta reinforced its battalions in Sittwe by utilizing Muslim conscripts to protect against AA attacks.
