Regime soldiers set fire to several homes in Kyaungnabay Village, Maungdaw Township, on Friday following a clash with the Arakan Army (AA) near the village.

Journalists have welcomed the establishment of the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), which is made up of representatives from media agencies at home and abroad.

A 50-strong military contingent raided Tapyaw Village in Taungup Township at about 6 p.m. on December 22, detaining 10 residents and releasing seven detainees later.

The regime’s administrative offices such as those for township General Administration Departments (GADs), municipalities and courts in the Arakan State towns of Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya have reportedly been shuttered for security reasons.

About 10 members from a Border Guard Force (BGF) outpost near Koetankauk Village set fire to two paddy fields owned by two local men at about 3 p.m. on December 22.

UNICEF Myanmar said 12.1 million people in Myanmar are in need of primary healthcare services as the health system continues to grapple with multiple challenges.

Junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) clashed near the Bawdhigon border guard police outpost in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township on Friday morning.

“Boats carrying rice bags and other goods were also seized,” said a family member of one of the detainees.

A clash broke out between the military and the Arakan Army near Thetkyar Manaung Pagoda in Mrauk-U on December 13 after the ethnic armed group ambushed junta troops near Ngwetaungpauk Bridge on December 6.

Bereaved families can’t afford to either hire vehicles for funeral parties or find vehicles to hire due to fuel shortages. Fuel is also short in supply to run crematoriums.

A clash between the military and Arakan Army (AA) broke out near the Danyawaddy naval base in the Thitpoketaung area of Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, at about 8 a.m. on Friday.

The Arakan Army (AA) reportedly launched an offensive on a Border Guard Force (BGF) outpost near Kyunpauk Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, on Thursday evening.

The balanced transition from Operation 1027 to a nationwide operation is pleasing to the people and revolutionaries, according to the alliance statement.

The Arakan Army (AA) has cut off a military attempt to send reinforcements to Arakan State’s Pauktaw, where fighting has been ongoing for one month, 

The regime reportedly arrested at least 20 residents, including an officer from the General Administration Department (GAD), philanthropists and businessmen, in Mon State and charged the accused under the Counterterrorism Law in December.

Five unexploded artillery shells fired by junta troops were found near Mt. Myo Oo Gaung, Yadanar Manaung Pagoda, Yatanarpon Ward and Shwe Kyar Thein Monastery in Mrauk-U.

Apack of Blue brand sanitary pads that previously cost K800 now sell for more than K3,000 amid a supply shortage. 

Southern Arakan State experienced no hostilities during previous fighting between the military and Arakan Army.

Junta troops have planted mines on a widely used public road linking Taung Yin Ward and Aung Zedi Village in Kyaukphyu Township, creating fear among local residents.