Thousands of local people are reportedly trapped by fierce fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) as the ethnic armed group has launched a battle for control of Maungdaw Township in Arakan State over recent days.

Kyun Nanthar, an island 24 nautical miles west of Kyeintali Town in Arakan State’s Gwa Township, has been designated as a marine national park, becoming the third island to be designated as such in Myanmar,

A man from Alel Ywar Village in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township died on Monday after stepping on a landmine while going to croplands near the village.

An offensive launched by the Arakkha Army (AA) in Thandwe Township, Arakan State, is moving closer to junta battalions stationed in the town, according to local people.

Five people were reportedly killed in a junta airstrike on Kanseik Village on Pantin Island in the west of Taungup Township, Arakan State, on Tuesday morning.

The IDPs are trapped by fighting as the Arakkha Army (AA) is currently attacking the junta’s Border Guard Force Battalion No. 5 in Maungdaw’s Myothugyi Ward and Border Guard Force Battalion No. 2 in 4th-Mile Village.

Myanmar’s military regime has stepped up its air raids in Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, which is controlled by the Arakkha Army (AA), inflicting additional civilian casualties.

Cash is running low in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township as local bank branches have closed since earlier this month amid escalating hostilities between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA).

The military regime abducted about 200 residents from Mingan Ward in Arakan State’s Sittwe Town on Sunday. They have been held incommunicado since, according to residents.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) has reportedly been ongoing near Zaingchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, since 7 a.m. on Monday.

Hundreds of local people from at least 10 villages in Taungup Township, Arakan State, have been displaced by recent fighting in the area.

The AA has captured almost all the junta camps in Maungdaw Township and has surrounded and cut off the remaining camps in and around the town of Maungdaw.

Clashes between the military and AA displaced thousands of local people in Thandwe Township with IDPs taking refuge at monasteries and schools.

Myanmar’s military regime has forced thousands of residents from 12 Arakanese villages in Sittwe Township to move to Sittwe Town, its seat of administration in Arakan State.

The regime carried out airstrikes on Mee Chaung Htoo, Maungkan and Kintaung villages, where locals are increasingly worried about their safety.

Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly issued arrest warrants for 20 local men from Maungdaw, Arakan State, on suspicion of providing food and funds to the Arakan Army (AA).

“The regime sent reinforcements to Taungup in Arakan State via Padaung Township in Bago Region. This is the reason why the AA blocks the road section,” the source explained.

The military regime committed 46 massacres in the four months from January through April, reported Nyan Lin Thit Analytica, an independent research group monitoring Myanmar’s political situation.

Myanmar’s military regime has destroyed seven bridges in Arakan State’s Maungdaw and Ann townships over the past few days amid escalating hostilities.