Myanmar’s military regime has threatened to deport Muslims who fled the Kyauktalone IDP camp in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township last month to avoid conscription, according to Muslims fleeing the camp.

A mortar shell fired by the No. 9 Military Operations Command fell and exploded in Thayettapin Village, killing U Saw Hla Tun, 52, on the spot, said local residents.

Five civilians were killed and 10 others injured by junta air and artillery strikes in Arakan State in the two days from January 15-16 as fighting escalated between junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA).

“Two warplanes dropped bombs until around 9 p.m. Villagers have fled,” said a resident. DMG is still trying to find out the extent of damage to civilian property.

The Arakan Army (AA) reportedly launched an assault on the No. 9 Military Operations Command based in Kyauktaw, Arakan State, at about 6 a.m. on January 17.

As fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) escalates in northern Arakan State, the regime is heavily reinforcing its bases in southern Arakan State.

A junta airstrike on Chin State’s Paletwa town and nearby areas killed four people and injured three others on January 15, one day after the Arakan Army (AA) claimed to have taken control of the entire Paletwa area.

The Arakan Army (AA) seized a military artillery regiment and some tactical command bases in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Rathedaung townships in Arakan State on January 12 and 14, the ethnic armed group said in a statement.

The AA attacked the Mount Manyin outpost on Monday morning. After a few minutes of fighting, over 120 junta soldiers surrendered, and some 50 others fled to Buthidaung with their arms, according to a source.

The emptied village was home to 2,000 people across 400 households. Baung Dwet Village was deserted during the previous fighting in 2019.

The Myanmar Navy warship in the Laymyo River fired into Kyaryepyin Village on the afternoon of January 14, injuring three young men and an elderly man.

The Arakan Army (AA) is currently attacking junta positions in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw and Rathedaung townships, and the regime is defending with air and artillery support as well as using warships.

Regime soldiers set fire to homes in Tawkan Village, part of Arakan State’s Sittwe Township, at about 9 a.m. on January 15, the Arakan Army said.

Arakan Army (AA) chief Major-General Twan Mrat Naing has warned junta soldiers to surrender early if they don’t want to get injured or killed.

The Arakan Army (AA) took control of the entire Paletwa area on January 14, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on Sunday, two months after AA forces began their attacks on regime positions in Chin State’s Paletwa Township and in neighbouring Arakan State.

The houses caught fire after multiple bombs dropped by a junta Y12 jet fighter landed and exploded in downtown Minbya on Saturday.

The AA seized a haul of weapons during the capture of the two junta strategic bases. The junta tactical command base is located near Meewa Village, a border village between Paletwa and Kyauktaw townships.

Displacement has been reported across Arakan State with the exception of Thandwe, Manaung and Gwa townships, according to a civil society organisation helping displaced people.

At least 700 homes across Sittwe, Pauktaw, Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Ramree townships were destroyed due to junta arson attacks and artillery strikes during the first two months of the latest fighting in Arakan State.