Rainy Season Brings Increasing Challenges Under Junta Air Attacks

Monthly Report: June 2026

Junta airstrikes and drone attacks killed scores of civilians—ten in Kyauktaw alone—wounded dozens, and forced the emergency evacuation of over 1,000 IDPs, with a UN report ....

The Arakan Army’s 17th anniversary, Ongoing Military Tension, and Humanitarian Challenges

Monthly Report: May 2026

Between May 1 and June 1, 2026, the Arakan Army consolidated its administrative control across Rakhine State by issuing vehicle licenses, regulating food safety, prosecuting child sexual abuse cases, and even launching an "Arakan Lottery" to fund ....

The Arakan Army’s 17th anniversary, Ongoing Military Tension, and Humanitarian Challenges

Monthly Report: April 2026

Throughout April 2026, the Arakan Army (AA) continued consolidating administrative and judicial control across much of Rakhine State, celebrating its 17th anniversary with prisoner releases and ethnic unity events, while the Myanmar military junta (SSPC) responded with intensified multi-aircraft airstrikes ....

Oil Crisis Adds Another Layer To Civilian Hardship in Arakan

Monthly Report: March 2026

In March 2026, Arakan’s economy faced intersecting pressures from global geopolitical shocks (Iran conflict), internal regulatory changes (AA licensing, NUG permits), and, ...
Monthly Report • July 13rd 2026

Monthly Report | June 2026

Rainy Season Brings Increasing Challenges Under Junta Air Attacks

The AA significantly expanded control in June 2026, encircling Kyaukphyu's naval station and repelling a major junta offensive along the Rakhine-Magway border, killing 30 troops and capturing over 20 soldiers. The junta responded with intensified airstrikes and troop reinforcements while conducting mass civilian arrests in Sittwe and Ramree on suspicion of AA ties. Min Aung Hlaing visited China for official recognition and trade deals, while Bangladesh began to claim... Read more

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • June 10th 2026

Monthly Report | May 2026

Ongoing Human Rights Violations and Socioeconomic Crisis Amidst Military Tension

The Arakan Army (AA) significantly expanded territorial control and statelike governance functions in May 2026, seizing junta camps, issuing vehicle licenses, releasing prisoners of war, and conducting cross-border diplomacy with Bangladesh. The Myanmar Junta responded with cluster bomb attacks, daily airstrikes, and a multi-front offensive, but struggled with forced conscription failures... Read more

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • May 11st 2026

Monthly Report | April 2026

The Arakan Army’s 17th anniversary, Ongoing Military Tension, and Humanitarian Challenges

On April 11, AA Commander-in-Chief Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing declared on the group's 17th anniversary that his forces would fight until the complete liberation of Arakan/Rakhine State, rejecting any compromise with the junta and receiving solidarity from over 30 revolutionary organizations. The junta... Read more

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • April 9th 2026

Monthly Report| March 2026

Oil Crisis Adds Another Layer To Civilian Hardship in Arakan

In March 2026, Arakan’s economy faced intersecting pressures from global geopolitical shocks (Iran conflict), internal regulatory changes (AA licensing, NUG permits), and cross-border dynamics. Fuel prices skyrocketed unevenly—severe in junta-held Sittwe, more stable but rising in AA areas—, ...Read more

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • March 6th 2026

Monthly Report| February 2026

Inhumane Air Strikes and Civilian Suffering Continue in Arakan

Arakan’s economy under AA/ULA (United League of Arakan) showed resilience but faced collapse from conflict: paddy market failure caused farmer debts and reduced planting, met by ULA paddy purchases and fertilizer aid. Mizoram-Paletwa border trade halted briefly due to ... Read more

Issue Brief • January 12nd 2026

Issue Brief | January 2026

Myanmar Junta's Sham Elections from Arakan Perspective

The 2025 elections in Myanmar were conducted amid ongoing armed conflicts, territorial fragmentation, and political suppression and repression, functioning primarily as a managed authoritarian process rather than ... Read more

Monthly Report • January 10th 2026

Monthly Report | December 2025

Displacement, Air Strikes and Civilian Suffering in Arakan

December 2025 saw continued intense conflict in Arakan, with the Arakan Army (AA) achieving substantial military advances against the Myanmar junta across multiple fronts, including heavy casualties inflicted on regime forces and, ...Read more

Monthly Report • December 14th 2025

Monthly Report | November 2025

Displacement, Air Strikes and Civilian Suffering in Arakan

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... Read more

Monthly Report • November 27th 2025

Monthly | October 2025

Winds of War and Want: Tale of Trajectories and Turmoil in Arakan

Rakhine State in October 2025 saw escalating violence with ARSA executing ethnic civilians, mass junta surrenders to AA at Nat Yekan, and over 970 civilian deaths from military operations amid relentless airstrikes. AA seized strategic control while imposing governance measures and facing...

Monthly Report • October 17th, 2025

Monthly | September 2025

Escalating Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis, and Socioeconomic Instability

From September 1 to 30, 2025, Rakhine State faced intense conflict, with a junta airstrike killing 23 students in Kyauktaw on September 12–13. The Arakan Army (AA) forced ARSA and RSO militants to withdraw from...

Monthly Report • August 9th, 2025

Monthly Report | August 2025

Fire from Sky and Sea: Junta Strikes Devastate Kyaukphyu and Mrauk-U

Junta airstrikes and naval attacks in Kyaukphyu and Mrauk-U killed civilians, including 14 in Mrauk- U, displacing over 50,000 in Kyaukphyu by August 30. The Arakan Army (AA) clashed with junta forces, seized territories, and faced accusations of ...

Monthly Report • August 9th, 2025

Monthly Report | July 2025

Conflict Escalation, Flood Disasters, and Humanitarian Response in Arakan

n July 2025, fighting in Kyaukphyu intensified despite a ceasefire, with the Myanmar military launching airstrikes and ground assaults, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement. The Arakan Army (AA) made strategic territorial gains by ...

Recent Post

Brief

Issue Brief • August 14th 23

A Comparative Analysis of the Post-Cyclone Scenarios of Mocha and Nargis in Myanmar

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.

Center for Arakan Studies

Issue Brief • June 15th 23

The Investments of China and India in Rakhine State: The Perspectives of Rakhine Stakeholders on Ground in Post-Coup Myanmar

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. China's Kyauk - Phyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Deep Seaport project aims to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca for transporting oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East.

Center for Arakan Studies

Issue Brief • April 14th 23

Footsteps of China and India on Arakan in Post-Coup Myanmar

Rakhine State, historically known as Arakan has been a center of international and regional attention due to its strategic location with abundant natural resources in addition to the images of well-noticed armed and communal violence in recent years. The two regional powers with the world’s first and second largest populations, namely China and India, have focused on the area for their strategic keynotes regarding regional and international trade, transportation, and communication.

Center for Arakan Studies

Report

Monthly Report • Octomber 11st 2023

Monthly Report | September 2023

Skirmish and Instability in Arakan Rise

This report is a part of the ‘Monthly Report’ series released by the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS). For the month of ‘September’, the CAS has developed this new report based on the four key sections such as ‘politics’, ‘economics’, ‘social issues’ and ‘humanitarian context’ mainly focusing on the state of affairs happening in Rakhine State (Arakan).

Center for Arakan Studies

Special Report • May 10th 2023

Special Report | Arakan At a Feeble Cease-fire | March 2023

By:Center for Arakan Studies

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, 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.

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • September 12nd 2023

Monthly Report | August 2023

The Flooding, and Rise of Armed Groups’ Activities in Arakan Add Another Layer of Hardship

This report is a part of the monthly report series by the CAS. The report usually covers four key areas happening in the state of Rakhine. The first part covers the politics concerning the armed revolution, the junta activities and political freedom, etc. The second is about the economic situations of the state that correspond to issues like rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade, etc.

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • August 17th 2023

Monthly Report | July 2023

Political Tensions Among Different Parties in Arakan Grow

This report is a part of the monthly report series by the CAS. The report usually covers four key areas happening in the state of Rakhine. The first part covers the politics concerning the armed revolution, the junta activities and political freedom, etc. The second is about the economic situations of the state that correspond to issues like rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade, etc.

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • July 11st 2023

Monthly Report | June 2023

Cyclone Mocha’ “Politicization” And “Weaponization"

This report is a part of the ‘Monthly Report’ series released by the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS). For the month of ‘June’, the CAS has developed this new report based on the four key sections: politics, economics, social issues, and humanitarian context mainly focusing on the situation happening in Arakan.

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • June 16th 2023

Monthly Report | May 2023

Response to Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State

This report aims to provide an update and comprehensive information regarding the strike of Cyclone Mocha on the coast of Arakan on May 14, 2o23. But, as it is released as a part of the ‘Monthly Report’, the content of the work will only cover the cyclone-related information during the month of ‘May’.

Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • April 7th 2023

Monthly Report | March 2023

By:Center for Arakan Studies

In political sector, news related to elections, political freedom, SAC-junta activity, armed revolution, and ceasefire situations has been the most dominant on the local media agencies in the past four months from January to April in Rakhine. Election news includes the junta appointed-Union Election Committee (UEC) approval of political parties, removal of non-registered parties’ signboards, anti-election campaigns,...

Center for Arakan Studies