Weekly Highlights of Arakan (October 13-19, 2025)

By Admin 21 Oct 2025

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.

■ Heavy fighting between junta and AA in Sittwe

Intense clashes are ongoing between the Myanmar military regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in Sittwe Township, where both sides are entrenched. The fighting has featured exchanges of artillery fire and drone attacks, according to sources.

Since October 14, junta battalions based in Sittwe have continuously shelled areas along the borders of Rathedaung and Ponnagyun townships, military sources said.

On October 15, junta units in Sittwe reportedly fired more than 20 artillery rounds.

The junta has also carried out drone-delivered bomb attacks, according to local reports.

The AA stated on October 15 that artillery and drone clashes around the outskirts of Sittwe have intensified in recent days.

Residents say the junta has reinforced troops and stepped up military operations around Sittwe, and junta naval vessels have been seen patrolling offshore.

At present, the AA has blockaded Sittwe, with both sides maintaining positions and engaging in periodic artillery exchanges.

Junta forces have also frequently shelled villages along Sittwe's border areas in Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, and Pauktaw townships, resulting in civilian casualties.

■ Two youths killed, two injured after unexploded ordnance detonates in Minbya

In Minbya, Arakan State, two local youths were killed and two others injured when an unexploded mortar shell (UXO) they had picked up detonated, according to local sources.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of October 15 in U Soe Tint Ward, Minbya. Three youths reportedly tried to break open a mortar round collected from debris in the Laymyo River, triggering an explosion that caused the fatalities and injuries.

The deceased were Nyi Nyi Zaw (15) and Khaing Min (19). The injured were Tun Tun Myint (15) and Daw Thein Chay (55), who was nearby at the time of the blast.

The injured are currently receiving medical treatment.

Areas under Arakan Army (AA) control continue to see civilian casualties due to unexploded ordnance and landmines. While the AA has been conducting mine-clearance operations and risk-education activities in its territories, observers say these efforts remain insufficient relative to the scale of the threat.

■ Junta navy reinforcing and increasing activity along Arakan coastline

In recent days, the junta's navy has stepped up reinforcements and movements along coastal waters near Thandwe, Gwa, Ramree, Pauktaw, and Maungdaw townships, areas largely under Arakan Army (AA) control.

Locals in Ngapali (Thandwe Township) said that where previously two junta naval vessels had been visible offshore, since the first week of October there have been at least six vessels rotating between the waters off Thandwe and Gwa, with instances of naval gunfire reported.

The AA stated on October 10 that on October 9, anchored navy vessels off Ngapali Beach fired heavy weapons toward the Thandwe area.

That same day, locals reported that junta vessels anchored off the western coast of Pone Nhyat Village in Gwa Township fired 11 rounds of naval artillery.

Residents also said anchored navy ships near the coastal waters off Maungdaw and Pauktaw have been maneuvering more frequently in recent days, causing heightened concern among villagers living near the shoreline.

In Pauktaw Township, no fewer than three navy ships were seen operating from waters west of Anauk Pharongka Island, moving toward Kyaukphyu and Maungdaw, according to local accounts.

Anchored junta vessels along the Arakan coast have repeatedly shelled towns and villages close to the shoreline, and there have been arrests of local fishermen while out at sea, residents said.

On October 10, the Arakan Army (AA) warned residents of coastal towns and villages to exercise extreme caution due to the risk of naval and air attacks by the junta, urging heightened security awareness.

■ Living conditions worsen for IDPs in Rathedaung township

In Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, internally displaced people (IDPs) are in urgent need of assistance with shelter, food, and medicine due to a severe shortage of humanitarian support, according to local sources.

Large numbers of IDPs from Rathedaung and Sittwe townships are currently taking refuge in Rathedaung. With little to no aid arriving, many are struggling to secure regular meals, while children are suffering from malnutrition, residents said.

Since fighting resumed in November 2023, junta-imposed blockades have battered the local economy across Arakan State, pushing up prices and leaving many people unemployed. Residents continue to face these hardships.

Those most affected are the displaced who fled amid the fighting; they are encountering even greater challenges than local residents.

IDPs report soaring commodity prices, limited access to aid, scarce job opportunities, and prolonged displacement that has prevented them from returning home-factors that together have created acute hardship.

There are currently over 9,000 IDPs in Rathedaung Township, many originally from Rathedaung, Sittwe, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Thandwe townships, according to volunteers assisting them.

Although the Arakan Army (AA) captured all of Rathedaung Township on March 17, 2024, residents have still been unable to return home due to ongoing artillery fire from junta positions in Sittwe, locals said.

■ RNP party begins activities in Manaung

In villages of Manaung Township under junta control, the Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP) has begun organizing drives and erecting party signboards, according to local sources.

The RNP is led by U Ba Shein, and its central headquarters has opened on U Uttama Street, Middle Ward, Kyaukphyu.

U Ba Shein was previously a senior leader of the Arakan National Party (ANP) and won the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) seat for Kyaukphyu Township in the 2015 general election.

He reportedly sought to have the ANP re-registered for the upcoming election, but the junta rejected the application; as a result, he is now personally leading the new RNP.

For the junta's planned election, parties permitted to contest in Arakan State include the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Rakhine State National United Party (RSNUP), the Khami National Development Party, the Mro Ethnic Party, and the Mro National Development Party (MNDP), in addition to the RNP.

Of Arakan State's 17 townships, the Arakan Army (AA) controls 14, while the junta has announced it will hold partial elections in areas it still holds - Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung townships.

The ULA/AA has said elections will not be allowed in areas under its control, arguing that such polls will not benefit the public and could instead create further confusion, according to ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha.

■ Local man loses leg after stepping on landmine in Maungdaw

In Lay Mile Ward of Maungdaw, Arakan State, a man stepped on a landmine at around 9:30 a.m. on October 18, resulting in the amputation of his right leg, according to local sources.

The victim has been identified as Zaw La, a 25-year-old Hindu resident of Lay Mile Ward. He reportedly triggered the mine while clearing brush in a wooded area.

Due to the severity of his injuries, he is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.

On September 24, another man from Gyit Chaung's Myo Village in northern Maungdaw Township was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine while heading to hillside fields.

In Maungdaw Township, many people rely on nearby forests and hills for their livelihoods - collecting firewood, gathering bamboo shoots, and doing other ad hoc work to make ends meet.

Locals say the dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines are frequently encountered by those farming in the hills, foraging, or fishing in the area.