Monthly Report | October 2024

Escalating Armed Conflict and Its Toll on Arakan

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

- The politics of Arakan in October were still influenced by armed clashes and civilian casualties. The military offensives of the AA at the end of October began in a new warzone in Taungup, where the junta's Military Operation Command-5 (MOC-5) was stationed. The other three military theaters—Ann, Maungdaw, and Gwa—continued to intensify. Local news sources claimed that another junta command center in Ann was on the verge of falling, following the situation in Lashio, northern Shan state. In response, the junta increased airstrikes against innocent civilians in AA-controlled areas.

- The economic situation in Arakan remained dire. A lack of job opportunities, education, healthcare, and communication had become part of the daily routine. In some cases, local businesses saw opportunities as external imports from Burma and foreign countries were unavailable. One important development was the decline in illegal logging from Arakan Roma, due to the ongoing fighting in Ann and Taungup townships.

- 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. The junta also imposed increased restrictions on the airports in Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, and further tightened control over informal trade between Arakan and other parts of Burma, even arresting its own officials.

- The number of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) continued to rise in new townships like Ann, Taungup, and Gwa. In many cases, IDPs faced severe shortages of food, shelter, and medicine, as humanitarian assistance from both local and international organizations declined. The lack of mobile banking and internet connectivity heavily hindered the transfer of money for humanitarian activities. Civilians in urban areas under the junta's control also faced increasing restrictions.

Table of Content

Part- I: Political Affairs

Part- II: Economic Situations

Part- III: Social Issues

Part- IV: Humanitarian Issues

Part- I: Political Affairs

The politics of Arakan in October were mainly dominated by the armed clashes between the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army. On August 3, the Junta Navy and the AA engaged in a firefight in Kyaukphyu. Three days later, the AA launched an assault on the military's Ann-based Western Command, followed by intense fighting near Ann Town. On October 12, the AA launched a fierce offensive against NaKhaKha-5 in Maungdaw. Two days later, junta-AA clashes intensified in Gwa Township. On October 15, the conflict escalated as the junta defended its last remaining position in Maungdaw, while the AA ramped up its assault on the last standing regime battalion in the area. Fighting continued to intensify despite the junta’s airstrikes on five villages near Ann. On October 20, the AA attacked the Ohn Kyi Kyun Naval Base near Dhanyawadi Base in Kyaukphyu.

On October 27, the AA made its final push to capture NaKhaKha-5 Base in Maungdaw. its final push to capture NaKhaKha-5 Base in Maungdaw. Two days later, the AA stepped up its attacks on junta positions in Ann Township. On October 31, residents reported heavy clashes as the AA launched a campaign to capture Taungup town.

“We heard from people coming into town that AA fighters attacked Pan Myauk Mountain. They said planes were flying overhead and dropping bombs, while artillery fired all day. It stopped briefly around noon,” a woman said.

Concerning the activities of the junta, on October 1, 2024, the junta-controlled five Arakanese towns began a census program. The next day, around 20 junta soldiers were killed when a Y-12 aircraft hit the wrong target near NaKhaKha-5 in Maungdaw. On October 4, regime airstrikes on a village in Taungup Township killed four civilians and injured seven. Three days later, it was reported that the junta had dug trenches along the roads to Sittwe. Thirteen bodies, including that of a child, were recovered after the junta's airstrikes on Tan Lwe Ywar Ma town. On October 9, the regime transferred about 400 prisoners from Sittwe to Pathein. The following day, near Bangladesh's St. Martin Island, the Myanmar Junta Navy opened fire, killing one fisherman and injuring two others. Two days later, four people were killed, and 16 were injured when junta airstrikes targeted residential wards in Kyauktaw Town.

On October 12, the regime was accused of using cluster bombs in Arakan State. On October 15, it was reported that the regime flexed its military muscle on the Ayeyarwady-Arakan border as the AA closed in. Two days later, the SAC’s staff faced difficulties as all departments except education were forced to attend the office amid intense fighting in Ann Town.

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