Weekly Highlights from Arakan State (Dec 29, 2025-Jan 4, 2026)

By Admin 06 Jan 2026

In an era when daily news from Arakan is often fragmented and fast-changing, DMG's Weekly Highlights of Arakan brings clarity, depth, and context to the stories that matter most.

Each week, we round up key political, military, social, and humanitarian developments across Arakan State - connecting the dots between events and offering analysis to help audiences see the bigger picture.

This series is designed for readers and viewers seeking a concise yet comprehensive understanding of how ongoing conflict, governance shifts, and community issues continue to shape lives across Arakan.

Junta, AA clash near Sittwe

Fighting has erupted near Sittwe after gunfire that briefly subsided during the election period resumed in recent days, according to local residents.

From January 1 to January 3, residents said they continuously heard heavy artillery and machine-gun fire near the No. 12 police battalion in Sittwe and a junta regiment close to Letwetho Taw Kyaw Pagoda.

Tensions remain high between the military regime and the Arakan Army in Sittwe Township, where artillery shelling, drone strikes and airstrikes have occurred frequently in the past.

The military regime is reportedly using drones to attack AA-controlled villages, including Wahbo, Myitnar and Minhla, as well as villages along the Ponnagyun border such as Phanthar and Aung Myay Kone.

The AA is reportedly firing heavy weapons at junta battalions near the city, including the Military Operations Command in Sittwe.

Local sources also reported increased exchanges of heavy weapons fire and drone activity near Amyintkyun village in Sittwe Township in recent days.

Muslims join business auctions in AA-controlled areas

Business auctions are underway this year in townships controlled by the Arakan Army, with local Muslims allowed to participate freely.

In Mrauk-U District, auctions for the 2026 fiscal year were held from December 28 to 30, with Muslim businessmen taking part alongside others.

A local Muslim resident said that under previous governments, Muslims were barred from participating in auctions in Arakan State, but they are now able to compete on equal terms.

Many Muslim residents view this development as a positive sign of equal rights for all ethnic and religious groups in Arakan State.

Muslims, including members of ethnic communities in AA-controlled areas, are also actively involved in reconstruction efforts.

The United League of Arakan, the political wing of the Arakan Army, oversees administration, the judiciary, health, education and taxation in Arakan State.

Thandwe civilians sleep in bomb shelters amid junta air attacks

Residents of Thandwe town have been sleeping in bomb shelters following two consecutive airstrikes by Myanmar's military regime that killed and injured civilians, according to local sources.

As the regime continues to target civilian areas, residents say fear of further air attacks is growing.

The military carried out airstrikes on Thandwe on December 29 and 31, killing nine residents, injuring 17 others, and destroying six houses, local sources said. Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Local social organizations are coordinating efforts to provide medical treatment to those wounded in the attacks.

The military also bombed Yatshae village in Thandwe Township on Christmas Day, December 25, killing a displaced woman.

Fighting between the military regime and the Arakan Army has continued in Arakan State for more than two years, with casualties from airstrikes and artillery attacks steadily increasing.

According to a DMG tally, 294 people, including children, were killed and 556 others injured in Arakan State in 2025 as a result of the military regime's violence.

Manaung residents hit hard by junta blockade

Residents of Manaung Township, which remains under Myanmar's military control in Arakan State, are facing daily disruptions due to a blockade imposed by the Myanmar Navy.

A local resident said the military regime has restricted freedom of movement and allowed only limited imports of basic goods.

On Manaung Island, prices of basic medicines have surged, with paracetamol reportedly costing up to K4,000 per tablet and Enervon-C up to K3,000 per capsule.

Residents said the prices of other essential medicines have also risen sharply, while access to healthcare is limited by the presence of only one doctor.

A trader said goods are imported to Manaung Island via Yangon, with transportation fees calculated by weight, driving up prices.

Residents also face severe travel restrictions. In medical emergencies, they must obtain multiple documents, including a doctor's recommendation, endorsements from ward or village administrators and the police, a copy of the household certificate, and approval from the General Administration Department.

As residents often wait months to receive travel permits, they face serious difficulties in responding to emergency health needs.

Rice and seafood produced on Manaung Island cannot be exported to other regions, creating hardships for the agriculture and fishing sectors.

Residents said the inability to operate transportation services has worsened socio-economic conditions.

The military regime has restricted communication, travel and trade on Manaung Island for nearly two years, leading to a steady deterioration of living conditions. The deployment of large numbers of troops and warships around the island has compounded residents' difficulties amid the ongoing blockade.

Regime spreading misinformation to mislead international community about AA: spokesperson

Arakan Army spokesperson U Khaing Thukha has rejected accusations by Myanmar's military regime that the ethnic armed group is involved in transnational drug trafficking and uses most of the proceeds to purchase weapons, describing the claims as an unfounded political conspiracy.

He was responding to allegations made by junta-appointed Minister of Home Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung at a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on December 29.

U Khaing Thukha said the military regime is using political tactics to mislead the international community as it suffers military defeats on the ground.

At the meeting, Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung accused the Arakan Army of involvement in drug trafficking, including the smuggling of chemical precursors, drug manufacturing, transportation, storage and domestic distribution, as well as links with international drug traffickers.

The junta minister also alleged that the Arakan Army uses about 70 percent of its drug-related profits to purchase weapons and ammunition, and that it is involved in other transnational crimes, including exchanging weapons for methamphetamine through links with international arms trafficking networks.

The military regime has repeatedly accused the Arakan Army, which controls the revolutionary administration in Arakan State, of involvement in drug trafficking.

In response, the Arakan Army has said the military regime itself is responsible for drug trafficking and other crimes.

U Khaing Thukha said the Arakan Army is willing to cooperate with any government or international organization in efforts to combat drugs.