Sources close to the Arakan Army (AA) told DVB that it has sealed homes and confiscated properties belonging to Kyauk Taung, a prominent businessperson in Arakan State, on allegations of collaborating with the regime. He refuted the allegations against him on Monday and told the BBC that his confiscated assets are worth $3 million USD.

“[His] properties, including his home in Taungup and business enterprises in Thandwe and other townships, have been confiscated as public property. Some homes of other Thandwe businesspeople close to the [regime] have also been included,” a resident told DVB. Thandwe is one of 14 townships in Arakan now under AA control.

It is home to the country’s tourist hotspot Ngapali beach, located 180 miles (290 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. Kyauk Taung owns properties and businesses in Arakan, which includes border trade with Bangladesh in timber and cement. He also owns an undisclosed number of hotels in Ngapali beach.

Thandwe residents reported that eight other luxury hotel owners in Ngapali with alleged connections to the regime, including the children of regime members, had an unknown number of total assets confiscated by the AA earlier this month.

At least 60 homes and properties have been seized by the AA in 10 townships since February, sources told DVB. This includes 30 in Taungup and Thandwe townships, which were seized in November last year, as well as 30 in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, where were seized in March and December. 

The AA has taken control of 14 out of 17 townships in Arakan since it launched its most recent offensive on Nov. 13, 2023. The state capital Sittwe, the vital deep sea port of Kyaukphyu, and the island of Manaung are the three townships remaining under regime control.