Amid fears of potentialconflicts, the privately owned cars including those belonging to military juntaofficials and also departmental vehicles are now being sent to Yangon by a large cargo ship from Sittwe port.

During the first week of February, over 70 passenger cars belonging to junta officials wereloaded in a cargo ship and shifted to Yangon from a Korean port near Shwe Pyarward of Sittwe township.

"Those were all ‘blackand white’ passenger vehicles, including some cars belonging to junta’sdepartmental officers and some rich individuals, which were relocated toYangon,” said a local resident.

 A military analyst believesthat as  the Arakan Army (AA) expands its control in northern Rakhinelocalities, the junta officials fear conflicts in Sittwe, the seat of Stategovernment, and hence they start shifting their vehicles.

"Now we cannot rule out the possibility ofconflicts in Sittwe. Even the Sittwe regional operations command (ROC) may alsoface the AA offensive in the coming days. So the ministers have startedpreparations to move from Sittwe in advance,” he added.

According to a reliable source, the cars belonging tothe central supervisory committee for motor vehicles, known as Ma Hta Tha, willalso be relocated soon.

"Currently, Ma Hta Thaplans to transport the cars to Yangon. The first shipment will consist ofaround 70 cars. Given the ongoing conflicts in Ponnagyun, it is likely that thedepartmental  vehicles are already being relocated to Yangon. I heard, theship recently departed from Yangon,” the source added.

Since 13 November, the AAhas been maintaining its offensive against the junta's military bases and tilldate the AA fighters have  captured  over 200 installations,including both large and small camps, as well as many battalions.

The AA now  controls Pauktaw, Minbya, Kyauktaw,Mrauk-U and Paletwa townships.

Moreover, the AA has gainedcontrol over Taung Pyo Let Wae and Taung Pyo Let Yar towns of  Maungdawlocality adjacent to the Bangladesh  border. The AA has already expandedits control over the India bordering areas.

Intense battles between thejunta forces and AA members are now going on

Rathedaung, Maungdaw,Buthidaung, Ponnagyun, Ramree (Yanbye) and Kyaukphyu townships.

As the conflicts erupted, thefamily members of junta officials were shifted to Yangon and Naypyitaw fromSittwe. There are reports that if the conflict arises in Sittwe, all thegovernment offices will be shifted to Thandwe township for ensuring the continuityof operations.