Salai Moe Aung, Narinjara News, 12 August 2024

Since the fighting resumed in Arakan State on 13 November 2023, the juntaforces destroyed 22 bridges.

According to the data collected by Narinjara News till 10August, those bridges were constructed in important points like onYangon-Sittwe highway and those were crucial for local communities connectingmany villages.

Both concrete and wooden structures were affected. Localwitnesses reported that most of the bridges were completely demolished by mineattacks.

On the evening of 25 July, a mine attack destroyed theChin Kwin bridge on Thandwe-Gwa road, which was routinely used by localresidents. Earlier on 24 July, mine attacks destroyed the Tha Yet Pin Kwin and Sin Din Lay bridges on the road from Za Lun  junction to Tha ByuChai on Thandwe-Gwa highway.

Ah Lel Than Kyaw concrete bridge, located 24 milessouth of Maungdaw, was destroyed by a mine attack on 9 June. On 13 June, mineattacks destroyed two bridges in Mawrawady, Myin Hlut, and Ah Lel Than Kyaw inMaungdaw locality.

Shwe Kun San bridge on the highway, located 8 miles from Taungup, was destroyedon the night of 10 June.

La Baw Zar bridge near Maungdaw town was destroyed on6 May. The 3-mile bridge near Thi Ho Aye village in northern Maungdaw wasdestroyed on 7 May.

Pan Zin Chaung bridge, east of Buthidaung town and regularly used by locals,was destroyed by a mine attack on 6 May.

On 25 April, the junta forces destroyed a bridgeconnecting Gone Nar with other villages in Buthidaung locality.

Kyauk Gyi Pauk and Ma-ei bridges, located at the Ma-eitown entry point on Yangon-Kyaukphyu highway, were destroyed by mine attacks on16 February. 

On 11 February, the Min Chaung bridge near the keyvillages of Ah Myint Kyun on Sittwe-Yangon highway, was destroyed by a mineattack to prevent Arakan Army fighters from entering Sittwe. In February,another bridge in Kyaukphyu was destroyed by a mine attack.

On 18 November, the bridge connecting Taung Ywarvillage in Taungup with Hmo Hin Taw village and the bridge linking Tha LainPyin with Wet Kyaik village, were destroyed. Additionally, a bridge connectingKaing Shay ward with Myoma market in Taungup was destroyed on 17 November.

"The bridges are being destroyed by a number ofmine attacks. Many roads are now blocked and a travel ban was imposed. This isa violation of people's rights and it disrupts all aspects of life includinghealth. The junta forces are intentionally destroying bridges and blockingroads to cause suffering of civilians," said a resident in Sittwe.

The destruction of the bridges, seemingly intended toblock the advance of  AA fighters but it is proven ineffective. The AAfighters successfully penetrated Thandwe  and reached Gwa township, thesouthernmost area of Arakan State.

A local woman in Pauktaw commented that the people always suffer the most.

"The junta soldiers are destroying bridges tocreate hardships to the locals. If you're sick, you can't travel. Making tradebecomes too difficult. They’re targeting the bridges because they fear the AAfighters,” added the lady.

The destruction of bridges has  disrupted thelocal economy, healthcare facility and social life with the restriction inpublic movement.

Photograph caption: Many bridges in Arakan State arebeing destroyed by the junta forces.