Six Muslim Family Members Shot and Killed While Fleeing Sittwe

News ၊ June 7, 2026

Six Muslim Family Members Shot and Killed While Fleeing Sittwe (Photo - ABN)

Six Muslim family members were shot and killed while attempting to flee to a safer area from Sittwe, Arakan, according to relatives and sources close to the survivors.

The deceased were identified as family members of Maung Hla Myint, the son of Nu Maung, a former warrant officer (clerk) who served at the Ceti Pyin Village Police Station in Rathedaung Township.

Family members stated that due to their children's failing health, Maung Hla Myint and his seven family members had relocated from Bhayarpin Aung Padesh in Buthidaung Township to Sittwe around 2023. Although they sought medical treatment at hospitals in Yangon and Sittwe, their health conditions did not improve.

Following the escalation of intense fighting in the Sittwe region, they were advised to leave for a safer place. However, due to the volatile military situation, the family had been forced to remain.

Family members recounted that on May 23, 2026, at around 10:00 PM, while they were carrying their eldest daughter, who was ill, toward a waiting boat, a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the area. Soldiers from the Military Commission spotted them and immediately opened fire.

The following day, individuals who arrived at the scene discovered that the youngest son, a 4-year-old child, was still alive.

"When members of the Muslim militia and the Military Commission forces went to inspect the area, they found the youngest child alive, hugging his father’s body," a source close to the family said. "The Muslim militia pleaded with them to spare the child's life. However, the Military Commission soldiers said, 'This one is an enemy; he will cause trouble later.' They then shot the child twice right as he lay on his dead father's chest."

The source added, "They had many sick family members and no income left. As the situation in Sittwe worsened, they only thought about escaping to survive. No one expected the entire family to be lost like this."

According to close sources, the bodies of the six victims were buried in a pit, and the perpetrators looted over 4 million MMK in cash, gold jewelry, and other belongings that the family had brought along.

Fortunately, the eldest daughter, who was sick, and the boatmen managed to escape.

Furthermore, it was learned that human traffickers had taken money from the family, claiming they would arrange safe passage through the Military Commission's checkpoints. They collected approximately 1.7 million MMK, which included boat fares and other expenses.

Later, traffickers demanded an additional 700,000 MMK to bring back the sick daughter, according to family members.

Sources close to the family allege that the traffickers failed to fulfill their promise to clear the checkpoints, which likely contributed to the tragic loss of the entire family.

"The traffickers took our money, promising to smooth things over at the checkpoints. Everyone left with the hope of surviving. Now, the whole family is gone. We want justice for this incident," a surviving family member expressed.

Local residents and close sources have reported that Muslim militia groups and Military Commission forces are currently shooting at locals who try to escape Sittwe for safer areas.

As a result, anxieties are rising sharply regarding the safety and security of civilians attempting to displace from the conflict zone.

Source@ABN