Myanmar's military regime has announced that its Navy is conducting a five-day maritime security exercise in the waters of the northern Andaman Sea, off the coast of southeastern Myanmar, from October 20 to October 24.

"A junta jet fighter carried out airstrikes on the villages three times without any fighting in the area. The junta jet fighter dropped four bombs on the village, wounding two women," the Taungup resident said.

Tobacco farmers say the high prices of local and foreign cigarettes and cheroots have led to an increase in demand for locally produced tobacco.

"Mortar shells fired by Myanmar Navy vessels in the Naf River fell in the village when locals were sleeping. The injured are internally displaced people (IDPs). The regime intentionally fired mortar shells to instill fear among the locals," said an IDP in Maungdaw.

Prior to the latest fighting in Arakan State, clay pots only fetched around K15,000 per pot, but prices have soared to about K35,000 per pot, local potters said.

The refugees were injured by bullets during an exchange of fire between ARSA and RSO militants at the Ukhiya refugee camp on October 17.

The Arakkha Army (AA) has stepped up attacks on the Myanmar military's Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw over recent days, with the regime responding to the ethnic armed group's assault using artillery and aerial support.

A total of 226 women and girls were killed at the hands of Myanmar's military regime across the country, including Arakan State, from January 1 to October 16, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said in a report on Wednesday.

Bamboo stockpiles are stuck in the hands of bamboo merchants as bamboo in Arakan State is not able to be sold freely to mainland Myanmar under the current security environment, which includes restrictions imposed by the regime on the movement of most goods.

Four civilians including a child were injured in a Myanmar regime air assault on Aungmingalar Village, part of Arakan State's Maungdaw Township, at around 2 p.m. on October 16.

"It is very difficult for the local residents to deal with health issues. Hospitals and clinics in Sittwe are also closed. Sittwe General Hospital also has few doctors and nurses and no specialists. If the patient has a medical emergency, they face difficulties," said a local woman in Sittwe.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said it has seized total control of five towns including Nawnghkio, Momeik (Mongmit), Kyaukme and Hsipaw in northern Shan State, and Mogoke Town on the border of northern Shan and Mandalay Region, in the second phase of “Operation 1027,” which began on June 25 of this year.

The communications blackout was reported on Sunday and persists across Arakan State. Hearsay about supposed junta airstrikes and clashes has since given birth to misinformation, according to residents.

"The rising price of goods, which is justified by the price of the US dollar, will no longer fall when the price of the US dollar falls. People will go hungry in the long run," said Daw Khaing Hnin Oo, a housewife in Mrauk-U.

Medicine shortages have resulted in the deaths of some tuberculosis (TB) patients in Arakan State, according to local healthcare workers.

The border guard police battalion is the last regime unit standing in Maungdaw Town. The AA has been fighting the battalion for months and the Myanmar military has been conducting frequent air raids since Sunday, with the AA responding with artillery attacks, said the source.

With an ongoing AA offensive now reaching to within less than 15 miles of Gwa Town, the military regime is reportedly carrying out raids in Ayeyarwady Region's Ngathainggyaung, Yekyi, Kyonepyaw, Chaungtha and Ngwesaung, and has increased troop deployments in the border area.

"The actions of the combined terrorist group, MNDAA [Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army], TNLA [Ta'ang National Liberation Army], and AA [Arakkha Army], which started in October 2023, have worsened the socio-economic conditions of the people," Min Aung Hlaing said in his remarks.

Due to the regime's aerial bombardment, civilian casualties are increasing in Taungup Township, where fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) has not been intense thus far except for a few battles.