Monthly Report | April 2024

Crisis in Arakan: A Look at April’s Challenges

Monitoring of a brief situation of political tension, economic issues, social issues, and humanitarian issues in Arakan in April 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

- April marked the fifth month of resumed armed clashes in Arakan. While at least nine towns in central Arakan have been captured by the AA forces, the latter’s offensives intensified in the two northernmost townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung, Ann township of central Arakan, and Thandwe township of Southern Arakan. On another front, the junta authorities continued the forced recruitment of Rohingya Muslim residents, especially in the northern townships like Buthiduang and Maungdaw, and many observers warned of the risk of instigating communal violence.

- Economic disaster continued during the month of April. In many cases, the junta authorities raided and seized the medical and essential rice supplies of the local civilian population. Next, the prices of local commodities were skyrocketing while the scarcity of goods and services increased. India halted what little trade regulation across the border with Arakan.

- The largest religious and social festival called ‘Thungurn’ ended in silence amidst the ongoing armed conflicts in Arakan. Meanwhile, social crimes increased in the junta-held urban areas, especially in big cities like Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. In many cases, civilians who escaped from the town faced incidents of having their things stolen from their houses. Rising temperatures bring health issues for the elderly and young children.

- Humanitarian demand in the region rises, whereas the supply is declining. Humanitarian actors continue to face challenges in operational context due to both security-political and technical factors. Rising temperatures produce the problem of water shortage, and many families are also now facing a hunger crisis, leading to a reduction in rice consumption. On another front, medicine and life-saving materials are insufficient, resulting in existential threats for patients who need serious medical operations.

Table of Content

Part- I: Political Affairs

Part- II: Economic Situations

Part- III: Social Issues

Part- IV: Humanitarian Issues

Part- I: Political Affairs

Arakan politics during April 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. Unprecedentedly, the ULA’s response to the UN Human Rights Chief’s statement was well-reported on local media platforms.

Beginning with the armed clashes between the two sides, the Arakan Army launched assaults on military camps in Ann Township on April 3, 2024. A resident said to the Narinjara news, “Civilian casualties were reported due to artillery shells fired by the junta troops stationed on Tawhein mountain. The regime soldiers fire heavy weapons whenever they clash with the AA. Local people are also afraid of losing their lives.”

On the same day, AA also continued its onslaught against junta battalions in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. One week later, on April 10, it was reported that the three artillery shells fired by AA fighters exploded in the western command base in Ann. On that day, marking the 15th anniversary of its founding, the AA chief also vowed to take full control of Arakan State

On April 13, the AA clashed with the military in Thandwe township. Three days later, Military-AA clashes were also reported on the Minbu-Magway road in the Magway region. As of April 24, the spokesperson of the AA committed to protecting civilians of Buthidaung regardless of their race or religion. Two days later, it was also reported that armed clashes broke out near a hydropower project in Thandwe township. On April 27, the AA attempted to seize Buthidaung-based No. 15 Military Operations Command.

Regarding the junta activities, on April 1, they stepped up the conscription drive in Manaung of southern Arakan. Five days later, the Maungdaw District administrator and some departmental staff deserted. As of April 8, the junta threatened to stop international aid if Sittwe Muslim villagers refused military recruitment. On April 11, the junta recruited over 1,000 Muslims in Sittwe and summoned 1,000 more.

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