Arakan civil society organisations and locals are urging armed combatants to refrain from using civilians as human shields during wartime, as concerns grow over the prospect of conflict reigniting in northern Arakan State for the first time in more than a year. 

The Myanmar military’s apparent disposal of expired munitions outside the base of Light Infantry Battalion No. 373 (LIB 373) in Ann Township, Arakan State, on Wednesday is rattling nerves in a region already on edge over the recent resumption of hostilities between junta troops and the Arakan Army. 

The Myanmar military has tightened security along some roads in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, following renewed fighting between junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA), according to locals. 

A third clash in less than a week took place between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) at a location between Phar Wat Chaung village and Ngan Chaung (Muslim) village in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township at about 11 p.m. on Monday, leaving two civilians dead, according to locals. 

The local Fire Services Department on February 6 distributed leaflets foreshadowing the removal of about 20 shops from a market in Mingan ward’s Block 8, in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, according to the shop owners.

A man was reportedly shot dead in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region, at around noon on February 8.

Family members are demanding access to ousted Arakan State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, who has been sentenced to several years in prison under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and the Anti-Corruption Law, and still faces additional charges. 

The perpetrator in the killing of a 10-year-old girl from Hsinthaepyin village in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, has been arrested, the Arakan People’s Authority said in a statement on February 7. 

A curfew has been imposed in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, with the local military government saying security personnel in the region have been killed and injured in recent days, necessitating the decision to limit basic freedom of movement during certain hours.

Arakan Army (AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha has confirmed that a second clash took place between the ethnic armed group and junta forces in northern Maungdaw Township on Saturday, after fighting first flared the day prior, shattering a tenuous peace between the two sides that had lasted more than a year.

A missing Manaung Public Company employee was found dead on February 5 in a reservoir within the designated hotel zone on Manaung Island, family members said. 

The Myanmar military reportedly carried out an airstrike on February 5 near Tanweekhar village in Dweloe, Kayin State, killing two villagers and injuring six others, according to a source close to the Karen National Union (KNU), which has troops from its Brigade 5 stationed in the area.

Economic, social and educational conditions have deteriorated since Myanmar’s military coup on February 1, 2021, and rural people in Arakan State have been hit particularly hard by rising commodity prices and a lack of job opportunities. 

Officials from Manaung Public Company (MPC) say Manaung Island’s beaches and the livelihoods of its residents will not be negatively impacted by the growth of the local tourism industry, as the development plans centre on ecotourism. 

Casualties were reported after a clash broke out between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) near Mee Taik village in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township at about 2 p.m. on Friday, according to U Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the ethnic armed group. 

More than 200 homes across three villages were destroyed in fighting between junta forces and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) troops last month in Kadai Kadut village, Kyaikto Township, Mon State, forcing many locals to leave their homes.

Businesspeople say shipments of goods from mainland Myanmar commercial hubs such as Yangon and Mandalay to Arakan State are allowed only with the permission of the Arakan State minister for Security and Border Affairs.

Arrangements are being made to systematically accept Muslims who fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in fear of the Myanmar military’s deadly and destructive 2016-17 regional clearance operations, according to U Hla Thein, a spokesperson for the Arakan State regime council. 

The sound of heavy weapons fire was heard southwest of Mingala Nyunt village in northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, on Friday afternoon, residents said.