The Arakkha Army (AA) has announced that the ethnic armed group has so far seized nine out of 17 townships in Arakan State and will attempt to take control of the remaining eight.

The AA warned in its statement: “We will harshly retaliate against those who ordered to commit war crimes against innocent civilians in Byaing Phyu Village, and junta soldiers and all those involved in implementing that order.”

In the Arakan State capital Sittwe, private banks have been largely closed since March due to lack of electricity, internet shutdowns and security concerns, said residents.

The AA has clashed with the military near Got Village, about two miles from Ngapali Town, since 4 p.m. on Sunday and the fighting continued to escalate on Monday morning.

Ko Khin Win Maung aka Ko Gambarri, 34, and the other three were taken by the regime soldiers from a home in Yangon’s Hlaingthayar Township.

Two Arakanese women from TaungU Village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, who were arrested by the regime at Sittwe Airport on May 29, have not yet been released, according to sources close to the detainees.

Myanmar’s military regime on Saturday carried out aerial bombings on Ponnagyun and Pauktaw townships, which are controlled by the Arakkha Army (AA), killing two civilians including a child and wounding 13 others.

The villages targeted were Thae Khone, Sin Tet Maw, Taung Oo Maw, Kyein Kwe Maw and Taung Puu. Two men, 29 and 56, sustained minor injuries in Kyein Kwe Maw Village, according to a villager.

Junta troops and allied Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) members slaughtered at least 41 residents in Byaing Phyu Village of Set Yoe Kya ward in Arakan State’s Sittwe Township, witnesses told DMG.

Medicine shortages have been reported in Arakan State and medicine prices are skyrocketing due to ongoing junta blockades of land and water routes, according to the health community and locals.

Junta lobbyists have stepped up their propaganda campaign against the Arakkha Army (AA) on the grounds of race and religion, reported Burma Affairs & Conflict Study (BACS).

Stocks are dwindling in Arakan State due to the junta’s blockading of roads and waterways, with residents concerned about malnourishment and possible starvation.

At least six civilians were killed by Myanmar’s military regime in Byaing Phyu Village and Set Yoe Kya Ward in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among the inmates are 31 Muslim political prisoners and the remainder were jailed under various charges including theft, drug smuggling, human trafficking and rape.

“We found bodies drifting in the creek. There were also bodies by the roadside. It appears that they had no time to bury them due to the fierce fighting,” said a Thandwe resident.

Family members say they have not been in contact with three civilians from Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township since their arrest by the Myanmar military three days ago.

More and more people are offloading their gold due to livelihood difficulties, the gold shop owners said.

Junta soldiers in seven military trucks arrived in Sat Yoe Kya Ward, conducted security checks and detained dozens of residents.

Myanmar’s military regime is preparing its defence in Taungup, Thandwe, Gwa and Manaung townships in southern Arakan State against attacks from the Arakkha Army (AA).