Monthly Report | March 2024

Amidst Intensifying Battles, the Arakan Rebels Gain Momentum in Arakan

Monitoring of a brief situation of political tension, economic issues, social issues, and humanitarian issues in Arakan in March 2024.

About report

This report is part of the CAS's monthly series, which delves into four key areas of the state of Arakan. The first section addresses political concerns, including the armed revolution, junta activities, and issues of political freedom. The second examines the state's economic climate, focusing on rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade. The third and fourth sections cover social and humanitarian issues, respectively; these include education, health, migration, and the internally displaced persons (IDP) population.

Key data in the report are sourced from local media outlets, such as DMG, Western News, among others. The aim of this report is to shed new light on the situation for observers endeavoring to comprehend the dynamics at play in the region.

Key Remarks

- In the politics of Arakan, the ULA/AA has successfully captured nine major towns, and military tension is still rising. AA’s offensives reportedly continue in several areas like Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ann, and Taunggoke. Meanwhile, the junta shifted the regional commander and continued frequent bombings of the villages and wards in the AA-controlled areas. No signs of the cessation of hostilities are seen.

- While all trade and transportation activities with Myanmar side and Bangladesh halt, economic situations in the state are deteriorating. Some basic goods and commodities flowing from the Indian side of the border could be found. ULA meanwhile invites foreign direct investments, claiming to guarantee the security of the project operation and personnel. The state's tourism sector is broken down, signifying a reduction in tourist numbers.

- Grade-10 students sat limited matriculation exams amidst growing threats to their safety and security. In some cases, parents, along with students coming from rural areas, are also arrested by the junta authority on the way back to their homes. More importantly, Rakhine with ID number 11 are reportedly hindered from traveling from one place to another. On the other hand, ULA proclaimed to draft a new educational curriculum for the students in Rakhine state.

- IDP women on International Women's Day urged the assistance groups to support women- related facilities, especially for the IDP population. HDCO, a branch of the ULA, released that the total number of IDPs in the state increased to more than 3 lakhs since the armed clashes on November 13, 2023. The group also said that only 30 percent of the total IDPs are receiving enough humanitarian aid. On the other hand, the junta minister also reportedly met with the UN Interim Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar. Yet, the situations in humanitarian difficulty remain the same."

Table of Content

Part- I: Political Affairs

Part- II: Economic Situations

Part- III: Social Issues

Part- IV: Humanitarian Issues

Part- I: Political Affairs

In March, the politics of Arakan were primarily dominated by news related to armed conflicts, including casualties, surrenders, atrocities, displacements, inspections, military exercises, reinforcement, recruitment, and propaganda from the junta council (SAC authority). Additionally, there were inspections, landmine clearance operations, seizures, warnings, and public relations activities from the ULA/AA, along with intense armed clashes between the two-armed parties.

To start with the junta’s activities, on March 1, the junta forces launched airstrikes on Tat Taung town of Rakhine State. The next day, the junta's navy conducted shellingnear the Korean port bazaar in Sittwe. On the same day, it was also reported that as the junta had only 12 battalions in five northern townships in Arakan, they tried to recruitthe locals. As of March 6, intense armed clashes eruptedbetween the AA and junta in Taungup of southern Rakhine. One day later, it was mentioned that an intense clash erupted in Rathedaung; AA may capture the town at any moment. On March 8, the Myanmar Junta provided Military Training to Muslims at Sittwe Regional Command Headquarters. The next day, the Myanmar Junta's Chief Minister Htain Lin led the Militia Recruitment Team in Rakhine.

Two days later, it was also reported that the AA stepped up the offensive at the battalion headquarters in Rathedaung. As of March 14, it was also said that the AA is unable to confirm the reported deaths of 100 Muslims at the battlefront.The next day, the staff families relocated as the junta decided to establish an artillery base in the Sittwe immigration office premises. Then, as of March 19, all village tract administrators in Thandwe resigned due to the military service law. On the same day, the junta threatened to arrest relativesof Muslims who fled displacement camps to avoid conscription.

On March 20, Major-General Htin Latt Oo, Commander of Rakhine Western Command, was reportedly removed and transferred to reserve force. On the same day, the junta launchedairstrikes between Thandwe and Taungup in southern Rakhine. The next day, it was reported that junta troops and AA have clashed nearly 180 times since October 2023. Two days later, the Muslims in Sittwe were coerced into joining the anti-AA protest.

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