A devastating attack unfolded in the heart of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, on Thursday morning, as military junta forces launched a barrage of shells, resulting in the loss of at least 12 innocent lives and leaving nearly 80 others wounded, according to reports from the Irrawaddy, citing the Arakan Army (AA).

The bustling bazaar, nestled near the harbor of Korea Seik Kan, fell victim to the indiscriminate shelling around 8 am, during peak shopping hours. Shockwaves rippled through the community as the shells, believed to be fired from a nearby naval base, tore through the market, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair.

Among the wounded, 31 individuals sustained severe injuries, as confirmed by the AA in a statement issued Thursday evening. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the attack, describing how junta forces have been relentlessly pounding the city with artillery since Wednesday evening.

Residents, gripped by fear, revealed that the military's onslaught on Sittwe is part of a broader campaign aimed at securing control over the region amidst escalating tensions with the AA, which has set its sights on capturing the entire state this year.

In response to the escalating violence, the AA had previously urged ethnic Rakhine people to seek refuge in areas under its control, warning of the growing peril in cities like Yangon and Mandalay, now under regime control.

The wounded were rushed to Sittwe General Hospital, yet the city's medical infrastructure, already strained by the conflict, grapples with a shortage of healthcare professionals. In a desperate bid to save lives, five critically injured victims were airlifted to a hospital in Yangon by military helicopter, amidst ongoing hostilities.

This latest attack is not an isolated incident, with previous instances of shelling reported in the same area, highlighting the recurring threat faced by civilians caught in the crossfire of conflict. The military's grip on Rakhine State has weakened in recent months, marked by significant losses in territory and naval assets to the AA's relentless offensive.

Amidst the chaos, Rakhine civilians endure persecution at the hands of the military regime, with reports of arbitrary arrests, travel restrictions, and relentless shelling, underscoring the harrowing reality faced by those trapped in the midst of conflict in Rakhine State.
 

BOB Post