The military junta hasimposed the curfew in Sittwe, the capital city of Rakhine State, on the nightof Thursday amid escalating military activities in the Rakhine region ofwestern Myanmar.

The residents informed that Sittwe comes under the curfew from 9 pm to 4 am. The curfew was declaredby the administrators belonging to junta by 5 pm.

"They moved around thecity in a trishaw and  announced the curfew with loudspeaker and hand-heldspeakers. The ward administrators also warned the people who move out duringthe night hours. The curfew is enforced in the Sittwe municipal areas with someadjacent  rural areas too," said a resident.

The Arakan Army (AA)initiated an offensive against the junta's divisions and battalions stationedin various Rakhine townships leading to intense clashes.

Currently, the AA fightersare engaged with attacks against the battalions based in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, andMinbya townships. Several battalions have been captured by the AA members. Therepercussion has finally reached  Sittwe which prompted the residents toflee for safer places.

The residents can hear thesound of  gunfire and military aircrafts taking round in their localities.

"During the nighthours, we can hear the noise of passenger aircrafts landing along with themilitary aircrafts taking off and later landing. Additionally, we hear thesound of gunfire every night," said a local resident.

Lately, the junta forceshave positioned themselves under Satt Yoe Kya bridge and near South Korea Portbridge as both the points give access to the people with waterways in Sittwe.