Due to the military junta's disruption of phoneand internet lines, all services at private bank branches in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, have come to a halt.

"Apart from Myanmar Economic Bank, allother private bank branches have ceased operations. While there may beemployees inside the banks, all doors are closed," reported a resident.

The services of Kanbawza Bank, Myanma ApexBank, Ayeyarwady Bank, CB Bank, Myanma Apex Bank, and Yoma Bank in SittweTownship have all come to a halt.

"You can't transfer money. Nowadays, moneytransfers rely on the internet and phones, so everything has come to a halt.Even Wave Money cannot be used. The duration of this closure is uncertain, andit's unclear whether it will be a short-term or prolonged disruption,” said anentrepreneur from Sittwe Township.

An individual in the money transfer businessstated that withdrawing money from banks is currently not possible, and thereare also difficulties in the money transfer service provided by Wave Money.

Apart from Mytel, both MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor phonelines have been severed in several townships within Rakhine State, includingSittwe.

Narinjara News tried to confirm the situationwith officials from private banks but couldn't reach them due to the lack ofphone lines.