Fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) has been escalating in Minbya, Arakan State, since 5 a.m. on Wednesday, according to local people.

The regime is grateful to China for its help in Myanmar’s peace process, said junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun in a press release about talks between the regime and China.

Junta troops killed three civilians that it had detained as human shields in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U town, according to local residents

A junta artillery strike on Diparyon Village, part of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, on Tuesday morning injured a local farmer, according to residents.

It has been nearly two months since the Arakan Army (AA) opened a new military front in Arakan State on November 13, following the launch of ‘Operation 1027’ on October 27.

Junta troops stationed on Mount Thin Kyeik, near Mrauk-U town in Arakan State, have surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) following an AA assault, according to residents.

Three civilians were wounded as regime forces shelled villages near the town of Mrauk-U, Arakan State, without there being any fighting in the area on Sunday.

Junta soldiers forced Aung Zedi villagers on Monday to remove bushes at the location where they plan to build the new outpost, said residents.

The regime arrested about 40 local residents in Thonesaung Village, on the outskirts of the state capital, and 20 cargo workers at BXT port, according to eyewitnesses.

It has been nearly two months since the Arakan Army (AA) opened a new military front in Arakan State on November 13, following the launch of ‘Operation 1027’ on October 27.

The regime has reportedly detained at least 10 local people on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army in Arakan State’s Ann Township, where the military’s Western Command headquarters is based.

Junta troops and the Arakan Army (AA) clashed in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships, site of the China-backed Shwe gas project and Special Economic Zone.

The regime has been transporting troops and weapons to Ramree, Kyaukphyu, Manaung, Gwa and Thandwe townships in recent days, the Three Brotherhood Alliance’s statement said.

Min Aung Hlaing made the remarks during a meeting on January 6 with representatives from some political parties that have applied for registration with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC).

The Arakan Army (AA) has seized a junta tactical command base east of the Kaladan River, near Tinma Village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement on Saturday.

Two local men in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA), according to Rakhine Daily, a mouthpiece of the Arakan State military council.

The Chinese vice foreign minister’s visit to Naypyidaw followed an artillery strike from the Myanmar military that resulted in the injury of Chinese citizens in Yunnan Province, which borders Myanmar’s Shan State.

Civilian casualties continue to mount in Arakan State, where Myanmar’s military regime has been accused of retaliating for Arakan Army (AA) attacks on its troop positions by targeting civilian populations. 

Dozens of local residents detained by Myanmar’s military regime at BXT port in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on December 12 have reportedly been fined and released, according to family members.