Monthly Report | November 2025

Displacement, Air Strikes and Civilian Suffering in Arakan

Monitoring of a brief situation of political tension, economic issues, social issues, and humanitarian issues in Western Myanmar in November 2025.

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.

Executive Summary

In November 2025, it is reported that the Arakan Army crushed a major junta offensive in Kyaukphyu (1–9 Nov), routing all three assault columns. The regime responded with relentless airstrikes and artillery, killing 115–120 civilians—the deadliest month in years. On 9 November, AA released over 80 Muslim detainees as a goodwill gesture on its commander’s birthday. While the junta lost ground and pushed its rejected “sham election,” AA strengthened control and civilian suffering reached catastrophic levels.

In November 2025, farmers in Rakhine faced a devastating triple blow: unseasonal heavy rains destroyed winter-crop planting, high input costs triggered widespread debt, and a total paddy market collapse left harvested rice unsold due to closed trade routes and zero export demand. Junta troops in Kyaukphyu looted abandoned early-season rice fields, further worsening food insecurity for displaced families. Livestock diseases killed pigs and tobacco demand vanished, while only minor recoveries in dried-fish and small-scale poultry offered faint relief. November became one of the bleakest months in years for Arakanese rural livelihoods.

In November 2025, the ULA/AA rolled out major health initiatives in its areas, vaccinating children under 3 for the first time in nearly two years and distributing scarce HIV medicines, while a deadly diarrhea outbreak in Paletwa killed 6, infected more than 300, and shut the vital Mizoram trade route for two weeks. In junta-held towns like Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, residents and IDPs suffered skyrocketing prices, food shortages, fishing bans, movement restrictions, and extortion, with boats fleeing Sittwe even fired upon.

In November 2025, intense junta shelling and airstrikes in Kyaukphyu (especially from November 19), Ponnagyun, and Rathedaung triggered thousands of new displacements and forced repeated relocations of IDPs. Nearly 5,000 IDPs in Thandwe and Mro communities in the north remained in critical need of food and shelter, while some Gwa displaced dared to return home despite ongoing risks. The AA distributed rice to over 1,000 IDPs in Paletwa, Taungup, and Ann (November 12) and rescued trapped civilians in Kyaukphyu, supported by diaspora donations from Japan. November saw Rakhine’s humanitarian crisis worsens sharply, with surging displacement, acute shortages, and an underfunded response amid relentless military assaults.

Key Developments

A - Politics and Armed Conflicts: Three Key Highlights

B - Economy: Three Key Highlights

C - Social Issues: Three Key Highlights

D - Humanitarian Issue: Three Key Highlights

A - Politics and Armed Conflicts: Three Key Highlights

1. November 2025 (entire month, cumulative total announced 29-Nov)

At least 115–120 civilians killed by junta airstrikes and artillery The military launched one of the deadliest aerial and artillery campaigns in recent Rakhine history, killing at least 115 civilians (including many children and women) and injuring scores more in just 30 days. Notable single-day massacres included 7–8 Nov (11+ killed), 22 Nov (4 killed, 8 injured), and 28 Nov (7 killed in Kyauktaw). Villages, schools, and monasteries across Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Rathedaung, and other townships were systematically targeted.

2. 1-9 November-25: Decisive AA victory in the Battle of Kyaukphyu

After a week-long major offensive using land, sea, and air forces, the Myanmar junta suffered a crushing defeat in Kyaukphyu Township. Two of three assault columns were destroyed by 3-Nov; the final column, despite heavy reinforcements, collapsed on 9-Nov with troops disbanding and fleeing in chaos.

3. 9 Nov-25: AA releases over 80 Rohingya Muslim detainees on Commander Twan Mrat Naing’s 47th birthday

In a highly symbolic goodwill gesture amid intense fighting, the Arakan Army freed more than 80 detained Muslims (mostly Rohingya) to mark the birthday of its leader General Twan Mrat Naing. The move was widely seen as an effort to ease ethnic tensions and counter junta propaganda portraying AA as anti-Muslim.

Summarized Overview

From 1-Nov to 30-Nov-25, Rakhine State saw a dramatic escalation of conflict and civilian suffering. The Arakan Army inflicted a major defeat on the junta in the strategic battle of Kyaukphyu (1–9 Nov), forcing regime troops into a chaotic retreat despite massive air and naval support. Throughout the month, the military responded with relentless and,…

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