Despite the cessation of active hostilities between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, casualties from landmines have risen in recent months, with rural residents particularly vulnerable and calls growing for the military council to clear the deadly remnants of past conflict.

Thae Khon village on Myay Ngu Island in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, has for years suffered from annual shoreline erosion that imposes a heavy financial burden on villagers and threatens the very existence of the settlement, according to local residents.

The Ponnagyun-Rathedaung road, which was closed in mid-June amid military tensions between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), has not been reopened yet, leading to difficulties for transporters and local residents. 

There is a shortage of rice and other foodstuffs at Pelpadon IDP camp in Ward No. 3 of Ann town, Arakan State, and displaced camp residents are currently having to buy provisions from acquaintances through a credit system, according to a camp official. 

Soaring food prices in the aftermath of Myanmar’s February 2021 military coup are taking a heavy toll, particularly on low-income families, in the country.

Family members are worried about the health of the political and social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, who was charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, as he is suffering from eye pain. 

Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Bago Region’s Kyaukkyi and Mone townships are facing monsoon season difficulties including a lack of adequate shelter. 

Myanmar has recorded its first cases of the latest Covid-19 variant of concern, with the junta’s Ministry of Health saying it has stepped up efforts to prevent and contain coronavirus infections. 

Local residents say an unexploded torpedo was found washed ashore near Mein Ma Kywe village, Manaung Township, on Wednesday, little more than a week after the Myanmar military reported conducting naval exercises off the coast of Arakan State. 

Police arrested a man and two women with counterfeit banknotes in their possession near the village of Mee Chaung Hto, Taungup Township, following a tipoff, reported Rakhine Daily, an Arakan State media outlet affiliated with Myanmar’s military regime. 

A resident of Kanpyin village in Taungup Township was reportedly forced into hiding as the Myanmar military raided his home.

Three people including the political and social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, who were charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, appeared before a Kyauktaw court on Wednesday, according to family members. 

Locals in five nearby villages have complained of loud noises emanating from Hong Kong-based VPower Group’s combined-cycle power plant near Gantgawdaw Pagoda in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township.

The Arakan Front Party (AFP) released a statement on Monday urging the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army to take problem-solving approaches to deescalate ongoing tensions between the two sides. 

Residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township have called on authorities to repair as soon as possible the Kyaukphyu-Yenandwein road, a crucial trunk road for 21 villages in the township.

Arakan Army (AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha says efforts are being made to end a decade of tensions between Muslims and Arakanese in Arakan State, where the ethnic armed group is taking an increasingly influential role in everyday governance across much of the state. 

A spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA) has confirmed to DMG that the ethnic armed group arrested the manager of the Global Treasure Bank branch in Kyauktaw, Arakan State, on July 9. 

The Arakan Army (AA) has pinned blame for a rolling toll of civilian landmine casualties in Arakan State on explosive devices planted by the Myanmar military  

The Arakan Army (AA) has said it will not tolerate the kidnapping of civilians in Arakan State, and will take measures to ensure that the recent kidnapping of two educators from Maungdaw Township is the first and last of its kind.