As armed conflict drags on, communities across Arakan (Rakhine State) are facing the compounded impacts of economic decline, stalled education, and severe shortages of employment opportunities. Local youth are among the hardest hit.

December 10 is International Human Rights Day — a day designated by the United Nations to recognize the dignity and inherent value of every human being, and to draw global attention to human rights violations so that they may be prevented and stopped.

DMG interviewed Maungdaw District Muslim Administrative Advisor Jury Baser about the current social dynamics between Arakanese and Muslims in the district, as well as allegations by Muslim activists in exile and ARSA attacks.

The regime's aerial bombardment killed and injured local and displaced schoolchildren from Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw, Maungdaw, Myebon and Sittwe, including up to 25 students under the age of 18. DMG interviewed some of the families of the students in the wake of the tragedy.

DMG interviewed an expert from Tactical Raptor, a military equipment watchdog, about the role of drones in the regime's battlefield strategy, as well as the challenges that the revolutionary forces will face.

DMG spoke to Arakan State politicians, civil society leaders, and local voters about the state's election prospects, including whether the AA will accept the election, and whether the public is interested in the proposed poll and has faith in the competing Arakan State-based political parties.

Since the Chin Brotherhood began, Paletwa has been a place where Khumi, Mara, Dai and Arakanese people live together. We look after the interests of all these people and the long-term development of all these people. Currently, Paletwa has been cleared of the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army is running the administration.

In an exclusive interview, DMG spoke to Chin Brotherhood spokesman Salai Yaw Mang about the Chin Brotherhood's success in a short period of time, the state of the brotherhood's alliances, its future military and political ambitions, and much more.

DMG recently interviewed a local woman, referred to here by the pseudonym Mae Zin, about the China-Myanmar border trade situation, the development and governance of the Mong Yu region, and the expectations of the locals.

Women, girls and activists in Arakan State shared their thoughts with DMG about what women need and what they should do to expand their representation in leadership roles.

Social worker Ko Kyaw Lin Oo, who has been actively helping internally displaced people (IDPs) in Rathedaung Township, recently spoke to DMG about the latest developments there.

“The fighting is quite close to Gwa Town now. It has reached near Tin Taw and Amaw villages across Rahai Kutoe Creek. Yesterday, there were airstrikes along the mountains behind Rahai Kwin and Shwe Nan Khaing villages.”

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing visited Yunnan Province in November on his first visit to China since the 2021 coup. Following his trip, China proposed the establishment of a joint venture security company between the two countries, and the Myanmar regime announced on December 3 that a working committee had been formed to prepare for the formation of the company.

Women, girls and activists shared their thoughts with DMG about the challenges and hardships facing women, and the actions needed to eliminate violence against them.

Last week Wednesday marked one year since the latest fighting broke out between the Myanmar military and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State. DMG recently interviewed U Pe Than, a political and military observer and former Lower House lawmaker for Arakan State, about the AA's achievements over the past year, and the possible scenarios that might play out in Arakan State in the year ahead.

Ma Khaing Khaing Mar, a 21-year-old woman from Namada Village in Chin State's Paletwa Township who is taking shelter at the Kavi Yadana displacement camp in Kyauktaw Town after losing one of her limbs in the latest fighting,

Some of these family members, including the wives of three prisoners and the son of one, recently shared with DMG their reactions to the transfer of the inmates from Sittwe Prison.

young women in rural areas including university students are struggling to support their families, with many doing housework and odd jobs as they no longer have the opportunities that their post-secondary pursuits should have offered.

DMG interviewed Ko Pyae Phyo Naing, chairman of the Ponnagyun Youths Association (PYA), which is carrying out local social assistance activities, about the needs and difficulties facing the IDPs.