A Myanmar military private and three border guard policemen deserted this week in northern Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, with the junta soldier being subsequently apprehended.

Renewed fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) erupted near Wetkyein, Gyitchaung, Khontaing and Laungdon villages in July 2022. 

In the market, fertiliser sells for between 90,000 kyats to upwards of 100,000 kyats or more per sack, a price much too high for many local farmers 

“We haven’t heard gunfire today. We are worried because we heard gunfire yesterday. Locals dare not go to their farms or into the forest,”

Humanitarians say the restrictions imposed by the junta in Arakan State have made it more difficult for storm-affected populations, who rely heavily on international aid, to recover.

They have been forced to make makeshift roofs with tarpaulin sheets, and are facing difficulties amid the rainy season.

Merchants and coaster owners hope to have access to the India-funded Sittwe Port, which was opened on May 9 as part of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.

The stadium will be upgraded to include a football academy, two training grounds, a school, a hospital, the main stadium and a pool, and with a capacity of 11,500.

“Since there are complaints, we have taken action against these two foreign employment agencies,” said an official from the Ministry of Labour.

More than 600 ethnic Mro people from Mroyu Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, who were relocated by the junta earlier this year are reportedly facing food shortages.

“Military tensions are still intensifying between the two sides,” the source told DMG.

There were 87 traffic accidents reported in Arakan State during the period from January 1 through June, resulting in 44 deaths and 98 injuries, according to the state traffic police.

Six children — three in Ponnagyun Township, and one each in Maungdaw, Myebon and Taungup townships — have died of dengue fever, malaria and/or seasonal flu so far this month.

Cosmetics products that Myanmar’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared should not be used are still being widely sold in Arakan State.

The weaving industry in Arakan State was among many affected by Cyclone Mocha, and weavers need financial aid for regeneration, according to weaving business owners.            

The anti-junta groups said that if residents see any suspicious activity involving the military in these areas, they should report it to the local resistance forces.

Two administrators from Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township were charged last week under Section 17 (1) and (92) of the Unlawful Associations Act for having alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA).

More than 100 Muslim internally displaced people (IDPs) at Thetkelpyin IDP camp in Sittwe Township are reportedly suffering from seasonal flu, according to camp officials.

Some factories damaged or destroyed by the storm are still being repaired and some plants cannot resume operations due to financial difficulties.