Junta Forces Abduct Nearly 70 Residents, Including 40 Muslims, in Sittway

News ၊ April 30, 2026

Members of the military council seen in Sittway in October 2012 and Sittway. (Photo - Getty Image and Onenationnews)

The Myanmar military junta, which currently controls Sittway in Arakan, abducted approximately 70 local residents—including 40 Muslims—on April 27, according to local reports.

The detainees include around 30 Arakanese nationals from Bauk Thee Su, Kyaung Tet Lan, and Lan Madaw South wards, as well as 40 Muslim men from Ha Ree Village.

A combined force of the military, police, and immigration officers conducted the arrests around 11:00 PM on April 27, using "overnight guest list inspections" as a pretext to enter homes and apprehend the individuals.

Family members of the abducted residents have reportedly pleaded for their release, but the junta forces have refused, instead demanding ransom payments.

While some individuals whose families could afford the bribes were released, those unable to pay are being forcibly sent to military training for frontline deployment under the conscription law, according to local sources.

Since April 24, the terrorist junta has been conducting intrusive inspections across Sittway’s urban wards, monasteries, and displacement camps under the guise of guest list checks, leading to numerous arbitrary arrests.

In a similar incident on the night of April 24, a joint junta force of about 20 personnel raided the displacement camp at Mani Ratana Monastery in Ywa Gyi Taung Ward. Claiming to check guest lists, they abducted a 40-year-old female camp coordinator.

Source@onenationnews