War, Famine, Rebel Governance in Arakan
ARSA’s attacks on minorities and rising cross-border tensions—including the AA’s detention of Bangladesh fishermen—further intensified ethnic and regional friction. The AA’s 16th anniversary highlighted its growing influence amid ongoing violence.
Governance, Ground Gains, and Growing Crises
Junta Airstrikes in Kyaukphyu: Junta drone strikes and airstrikes targeted Kyaukphyu, hitting Sane Cottage Hospital on March 10, destroying 20 homes in Kap Tha Pyay Village on March 11, and bombing Kyat Tin Village five times by March 14. On March 31, a monk and a civilian were killed, reflecting intensified attacks amid clashes with the AA near the Dhanyawadi Naval Base
February in Focus:Arakan’s Conflict and Crops
Arakan is facing deepening humanitarian challenges, including water shortages, disease outbreaks, and medication scarcity, which particularly affect children and people with mental health issues. In Paletwa, a lack of medicine has led to deaths, while residents of Sittwe remain trapped by the junta’s military restrictions.
Conflict Dynamics and Socio-Economic Impacts in Arakan
There has been more shelling this month. They are targeting villagers in the mountains and those along the coast. There has been no fighting recently, but the villagers fled due to the threat of shelling," said a male resident of Kyaukphyu.
December in Arakan:Shifting Battlefields and Rising Challenges
The AA banned imported alcoholic beverages to boost the local economy and reduce funding to the junta,confiscating banned alcohol shortly thereafter.
November 2024:Escalation and Suffering in Arakan
The armed clashes continued to intensify in Arakan during November 2024. The AA advanced in the Ann, Gwa, and Maungdaw warzones.
Escalating Armed Conflict and Its Toll on Arakan
Phone and internet communication blackouts continued in several townships of Arakan, and the availability of electricity in urban areas was minimal. Local transportation and trade remained difficult.
Arakan Faces Military Strikes, Economic Decline, and Health Emergencies
The junta military then fortified villages at the gateway to Sittwe. On September 4, the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA were declared terrorist organizations by the junta.
Rising Civilian Casualties, Economic Turmoil, and Humanitarian Crises in Arakan State
“We have received reliable information that two AA soldiers were subjected to various forms of torture by the CNF/CNA. The CNF/CNA asked the two AA soldiers to testify as they wished,” said U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the AA.
“We saw some homes that were destroyed in the junta airstrike. We don’t know exactly the extent of the damage. No one remains in the village; all villagers have fled to safer locations since the fighting broke out in the area,” said a Muslim man in Maungdaw.
Humanitarian Aid Blocked and Destroyed in Arakan Amidst Rising Conflict
To start with the AA-SAC armed clashes, on June 3, the Myanmar military and AA clashed near the popular beach town of Ngapali. Two days later, AA fighters advanced toward Thandwe's Ma Zin airport.
“The AA authorized persons gave shelter and food to those who fled the battle zones to AA-controlled areas, without any discrimination to their religion or race. The AA officials have arranged their accommodation and food items with necessary care,” said a person assisting in the rescue operations of those Muslims from the conflict localities to the media on May 12.
About four months after fighting resumed between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, junta forces are increasingly resorting to airstrikes and artillery barrages against civilian populations, amid reported losses on the ground.
Just 20 months after a de facto ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), a series of armed clashes resumed in three locations in northern Rakhine, and another one in its neighboring southern Chin state’s Paletwa.
JWhile the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March. As the twoarmed parties are in a lack of trust toward each other, the reinforcements of the military force and silent confrontation become the affairs of politics. For example, neither the junta has a clear date for its sham election, nor the ULA has a decisive stand on election issues.
In comparison between Cyclone Nargis and Mocha, the military regimes’ responses, and actions towards the cyclones’ management in short and long-term perspectives can be seen as not too different. Their own actions for emergency responses and rehabilitation processes remain insufficient in certain factors that lead the affected communities to be more harmful.
The Rakhine State in Myanmar offers immense potential for foreign direct investment (FDI) owing to its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and diverse opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, fishery, tourism, oil and gas, and services. In this context, it is essential to examine the major investments made by China and India in Rakhine State to understand their implications for the local stakeholders.
While the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March. As the twoarmed parties are in a lack of trust toward each other,...
While the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March.
In February 2023, both tensions and relaxation could be seen in politics in Rakhine State. Tensions between the Arakan Army, and junta forces happened due after the junta forces' reinforcement such as military types of equipment, patrol and,...
Just 20 months after a de facto ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), a series of armed clashes resumed in three locations in northern Rakhine,...
