Junta-appointed Information Minister U Maung Maung Ohn has accused independent media agencies of spreading fake news and misinformation about Myanmar’s ongoing political and economic situation.

Local charities in Arakan State have run out of fuel amid the escalating armed conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), which has resulted in dozens of civilian casualties to date.

Fierce fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) continued in Paletwa, Chin State, on Friday, with the regime launching airstrikes on the ethnic armed group’s positions, locals said.

The regime has imposed a nighttime curfew from 9 p.m. to dawn in Sittwe since renewed fighting broke out on November 13. Town residents say they have spotted groups of men entering wards at night.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance issued a statement on January 4 asking residents of the villages bordering Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships in Arakan State to live with military alert.

Regime soldiers have been regularly arresting civilians under various pretexts since renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) broke out in Arakan State on November 13.

A student at a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) was killed in an artillery strike on Kharuchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township, at about 9 p.m. on January 4.

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) said in a January 3 report that Myanmar’s military regime committed 4,656 cases of human rights violations in 2023.

NGOs and INGOs are relied upon for humanitarian activities in Arakan State, including food supply distribution, healthcare, education and many other local development sectors.

“Previously, political parties in Arakan State spoke out against cruelty and human rights violations of the military council. They spoke up for the Myanmar people. But they have been silent now,” said social activist Ko Tun Tun from Sittwe.

Three residents in Kanthayar Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, were injured after an artillery shell fired by the No. 5 Border Guard Force fell and exploded in the village at around 1 a.m. on January 4.

Min Aung Hlaing has repeatedly promised a federal Union since the putsch, to much scepticism at home and abroad.

The AA has been launching offensive attacks on a junta tactical command base near Paletwa and Meewa tactical command base since January 1.

Junta artillery strikes killed two locals and injured two others in Paletwa, Chin State, at about 7 p.m. on January 3, according to residents.

The majority of victims were killed by artillery strikes, bombing raids or beating after being detained by junta forces, according to the BWU.

The Arakan Army (AA) attacked a junta convoy with landmines near Minywa, part of Arakan State’s Minbya Township, at about 10 a.m. on Thursday, according to locals.

Two junta jet fighters returning from the Tinma tactical command base dropped bombs on Alekyun Village, causing civilian casualties and destroying five homes, locals said.

Junta troops are reinforcing their urban positions in the Arakan State capital Sittwe, as well as in Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Ponnagyun and Myebon townships, according to local residents.

Out of more than 2,830 basic education schools in the 14 Arakan State townships where military tensions are running high between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA), over 2,300 have been temporarily closed.