The Arakan Army (AA) has breached an informal ceasefire agreement with the military in Arakan State, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing said Thursday.

“Muslim casualties were reported due to the junta’s indiscriminate shelling and firings in our area,” said a resident of Hsingyipyin Village in Minbya Township.

Arrests of locals followed the junta’s increasing its military presence and tightening security checks on residents in southern Arakan State. Among the detainees are businessmen, social activists and women.

Government employees in Sittwe are going to the office as usual, while some employees in other townships have fled to safer places due to fighting.

Only a few gold shops are still open in Sittwe, but there are reportedly no buyers, with people only pawning or selling their gold jewellery at those shops.

Fierce fighting erupted after the AA launched an attack on a Border Guard Force outpost near Bawdigon Village on the Angumaw-Maungdaw road on the morning of November 28.

A junta helicopter unleashed strafing fire on Apaukwa Village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, according to residents.

More than 58,000 people displaced by the fighting between Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in 2018-2020, and 2022 remain at camps in Arakan State and Chin State’s Paletwa Township,

The regime has blockaded roads and waterways since fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) broke out on November 13, and cash is dwindling at banks, forcing many to impose restrictions on cash withdrawals, bank staff told DMG.

Fighting has been ongoing for one week following the AA’s offensive against the two hilltop positions near Taronai Village began around 6 a.m. on November 14, and junta troops responded with aerial support and shelling.

Over 20,0000 people trapped in Laukkai for nearly a month due to the fighting outside the town in northern Shan State have been allowed to leave the town since Sunday.

Residents of Awataung village in Sanae town in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township have been forced to flee their homes due to threats from Myanmar’s military regime.

The military launched a joint operation of ground troops, navy and air forces for control of Pauktaw against the Arakan Army, which has been attempting to rescue dozens of residents trapped by the fighting.

“Children were playing near a classroom after having lunch when the military carried out a drone attack,” said a family member of the injured.

Since renewed fighting broke out on November 13, Myanmar’s military regime has detained at least 60 civilians in Sittwe, Buthidaung, Ponnagyun, Kyaukphyu and Taungup townships.

Myanmar’s military regime has not allowed drivers to pass through the Kyauk Talone checkpoint just outside the town. It has also issued an order banning water transport along the sea adjacent to the town until December 19.

“It has become very difficult to buy fuel in Sittwe. If we can’t buy fuel, we will have to suspend our operations temporarily,” said U Min Htel Warr, chairman of the Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation.

MPT phone lines are down in some parts of Ann, Myebon, Pauktaw and Manaung townships in Arakan State, according to local residents.

Around 30 junta soldiers have been stationed at the convocation hall and four-storey building on the campus of Sittwe University since November 25, according to sources familiar with the matter.