The Arakkha Army (AA) has begun the battle for control of Gwa Town by attacking the military’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 563, according to sources close to the ethnic armed group.

Members of Muslim communities told DMG that ANDF has around 50 members. It was formed in October and led by former Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) leader Dr. Enik.

The junta boss also urged them to be obedient and disciplined, saying “Only obedient and disciplined followers can develop into competent leaders.”

Anti-regime groups such as the Student Armed Force (SAF), Asho Chin Defense Force (ACDF), and People's Revolutionary Alliance (PRA-Magwe) are active in the Arakan Mountains on the Arakan-Magwe border.

"Landmines are planted in the forests in our area. Many people were killed or injured in landmine blasts. Locals are facing livelihood hardships as they dare not go out of their homes," said a youth in Kyaukphyu.

A resident was injured after a junta soldier fleeing Border Guard Force Battalion No. 5 threw a grenade at villagers near the lake in front of Maungdaw Township's Kanthayar Village on Thursday evening.

The AA has seized control of Ramree, Sanae and Maei towns, which are close to Kyaukphyu, home to a China-backed special economic zone, deep-sea port project and twin oil and gas pipelines.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) unveiled its annual Emergency Watchlist on December 11, highlighting the 20 countries most likely to face escalating humanitarian crises next year, with Myanmar ranked third.

People who have lost limbs face difficulties in daily social activities due to the lack of assistive devices such as crutches and prosthetic limbs.

Fierce fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) has reportedly been ongoing in Gwa Township, Arakan State, since December 10.

The AA has captured 11 townships in Arakan State over the past year, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State, since the latest fighting with the Myanmar military began in November 2023.

The AA besieged the battalion for months before launching an offensive on October 14. The battle lasted about 55 days, making it the longest battle for control of a junta battalion in Arakan State.

Arakan residents in Yangon have expressed concerns for their safety as the regime is stepping up enforcement of the conscription law in parts of the commercial capital.

AVIC is one of the world’s biggest defence contractors, and the Chinese aviation firm supplies aviation fuel, weapons and technologies to the regime as it commits war crimes across Myanmar.

Muslim armed groups such as ARSA, RSO and ARA are active in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships and along the Mayu mountain range, where they are known to arrest, kill, abduct, shoot and extort local residents.

Displaced people already facing water shortages in November are concerned about the severe water scarcity they are likely to face in the hot season.

The regime, losing control of towns and villages in offensives by resistance forces, has been targeting civilians with air and artillery arrests, as well as arbitrarily arresting and jailing civilians.

Fighting has escalated in Taungup Township as the Arakkha Army (AA) attacks the junta’s No. 5 Military Operations Command.

In November, three IDP children and two elderly women from Ann Township reportedly died from cold-related illnesses that could not be treated.