Gutted buildings, vacant windows, and blocks bombed to rubble showcase the devastating impact on the western Myanmar town of Pauktaw following the victory against the junta in the country’s civil war.
In January, fighters from the Arakan Army (AA) ethnic minority armed group seized control of the fishing port, home to 20,000 people, as the conflict stemming from the military’s coup entered its fourth year.
Pauktaw was just one of many losses suffered by the junta across the nation, giving hope to many that the military’s long-held grip on Myanmar’s politics could be weakening.
Four months later, the Arakan Army still maintains control, but Pauktaw now lies mostly deserted with residents living on the outskirts, fearing the junta’s potential heavy artillery attacks.
“We are afraid of the military,” expressed one man to AFP from his temporary residence just outside Pauktaw, opting for anonymity due to security concerns.
Residents are uncertain about the military’s next move and dread the possibility of airstrikes or bombings if they return to their homes in the town.
Video footage captured by locals and exclusively obtained by AFP portrays empty streets, with only the sounds of nature and Arakan Army soldiers seen sifting through debris.
Near the abandoned marketplace, a torn awning above a gutted shop remains the only reminder of the bustling activity that once took place there.
Communication services, including phones and internet, have been severely disrupted.
– No Escape –
The AA has been engaged in sporadic conflict against the Myanmar military for several years, seeking greater autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in the state.
As resistance against the military’s rule grows, the AA has intensified its campaign, capitalizing on the junta’s loss of territory by utilizing airpower to support its ground troops.
Rights organizations accuse the military of leveraging airstrikes to punish communities suspected of opposing its authority.
Following a military helicopter opening fire on Pauktaw last November, causing widespread panic and forcing many residents to flee, trust in the military has diminished significantly.
The plight of Pauktaw’s residents mirrors the larger tragedy unfolding nationwide, with approximately 2.7 million people displaced due to the civil war in Myanmar.
– Plundering –
The AA prohibits residents from returning to Pauktaw, citing the ongoing threat of potential airstrikes or artillery attacks, although residents are allowed limited access for essential items.
Returning to inspect his house, one man found it partially destroyed, with valuables stolen and irreplaceable items damaged or gone.
During the conflict, both sides engaged in looting and destroyed buildings, further adding to the devastation reported by locals.
In March, the AA pledged to investigate any reports of looting by its members during the fighting.
– ‘Decisive Battle’ –
The AA’s offensive in Rakhine state has resulted in significant territorial gains, edging closer to capturing the state capital, Sittwe, the last major town in northern Rakhine under the military’s control.
Residents of Sittwe, anticipating a “decisive” battle, face restricted travel and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
Displaced individuals from Pauktaw fear the escalation of violence and express their sorrow over being unable to return home.
While some seek to recover lost possessions, others harbor desires for vengeance, underscoring the deep scars left by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
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