Monthly Report | September 2024

Arakan Faces Military Strikes, Economic Decline, and Health Emergencies

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

- Armed clashes continued in several townships in Arakan during September, including Maungdaw, Ann, and Gwa. The junta’s planned census is unlikely to be conducted in Arakan. Additionally, the junta intensified its defense of key towns like Sittway and Kyaukphyu following its declaration of the AA as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, the AA spokesperson issued a stern warning, threatening retaliation if Bangladesh continued to allow the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and other Rohingya militants to operate from its territory.

- Economic conditions in Arakan show no signs of progress or potential for development. Rising prices of basic commodities remain a widespread issue, and the junta has only permitted fishing in Kyaukphyu for its patronized network. The local fishing community in Kyaukphyu has also been affected by the degradation of the Thanzit River, primarily due to increased shipping traffic and construction along the river.

- Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Arakan are facing environmental and health crises due to a lack of clean drinking water and poor hygiene. In addition, the junta has banned ships from docking at Sittway port, and some residents of Ponnagyun have resorted to selling their blood for income. In Myebon, two Rohingya women died from malnutrition.

- The Nippon Foundation provided food aid to Arakanese IDPs in Yangon, and some Arakanese IDPs were arrested in the Ayeyarwady region. The ICRC chief also visited Rakhine to assess the dire humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, thousands of flood victims remain in urgent need of assistance, while the AA has offered some support to Chin communities.

Table of Content

Part- I: Political Affairs

Part- II: Economic Situations

Part- III: Social Issues

Part- IV: Humanitarian Issues

Part- I: Political Affairs

Starting with the junta’s activities in Arakan, in the first week of September, the junta mobilized Muslims near Sittwe to participate in armed clashes and launched airstrikes on Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships. Despite the intensifying civil war, the junta pressed forward with its census plan, though sources claimed that conducting a household census in Arakan State is unlikely.

"Who will conduct the census in Arakan State, and which social organizations will be involved? Most townships currently lack personnel, and those who are present cannot leave their locations. The junta forces and police personnel are unable to provide security. So, conducting a census enumeration in the Arakan region is impossible," said U Pe Than, a political analyst.

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. On September 7, another group of 100 Byine Phyu residents were sentenced to three years in prison.

On September 10, dozens were killed in junta airstrikes on AA detention camps, and the airstrikes completely destroyed UN office buildings in Maungdaw. Following this, local Muslims at the latest junta checkpoints in Sittwe Township were subjected to extortion. The junta also erected a fence in Kyaukphyu to defend against the AA. On September 24, two people were killed, and three others were injured in a junta airstrike in Taungup Township. The next day, two civilians were killed, and at least 10 others were injured in another junta airstrike on Khan Taunggyi, Myebon Township.

Read More

download to PDF for read more