Southern Arakan State experienced no hostilities during previous fighting between the military and Arakan Army.

Junta troops have planted mines on a widely used public road linking Taung Yin Ward and Aung Zedi Village in Kyaukphyu Township, creating fear among local residents.

Homes in Panthee Ward and Ward-3 in Arakan State’s Pauktaw, where fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) is intensifying, were seen burning at about 1 p.m. on Thursday, locals said.

Thirty-one locals selling vegetables, fish and prawn at different locations in Kyaukphyu, and two ferry boatmen were arrested on December 18 and 19 for violating a ban on people entering or leaving the town.

Junta troops have blockaded Kazu Kaing, Jeit Chaung and Swe Chaung villages in Ann Township and Lithon village in Myebon Township, according to residents.

With junta battalions in Arakan State’s Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships firing artillery daily, local residents have expressed concerns for their safety.

Thousands of children are losing access to schooling due to fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance and junta troops that has been going on for nearly two months.

U Zaw Win Myint, a former candidate representing the National League for Democracy (NLD) from Ann, Arakan State, has reportedly been detained by Myanmar’s military regime.

Myanmar’s military regime has extended its ban on fishing, docking and sea transport in the sea adjacent to Kyaukphyu town, the site of the majority of foreign investments in Arakan State.

Thousands of residents of Arakan State’s Ramree town and locals in the surrounding area have fled their homes due to junta artillery strikes since fighting in the area.

Junta lobbyists are campaigning to arrest those who criticise the regime, including those who write about the regime’s human rights violations on social media, whether politicians, social activists, artists or average folk.

The regime is accused of targeting civilians who are not involved in the fighting in Arakan State, using heavy weapons and small arms fire, and burning homes and food.

A military regiment in Taungup fired mortar shells after three military trucks bound for Taungup from Thandwe were attacked with remotely detonated landmines at Thetkelpyin Bridge near Kanday Village.

The prices of food items and consumer goods have increased anywhere from three- to ninefold in Arakan State as the state is facing food shortages as a result of an ongoing junta blockade of roads and waterways.

Three years on from the military takeover, Myanmar’s humanitarian landscape for 2024 looks grim, with one-third of the population — 18.6 million people — now estimated to be in humanitarian need, UNOCHA Myanmar said

A gold shop owner in Taungyat Ward, Mrauk-U, Arakan State, was arrested by Myanmar regime soldiers on December 18, according to local residents.

One civilian was killed and three others were injured in a junta air raid on Monday in Arakan State’s Ramree town. Many town residents and locals in the surrounding area have fled their homes.

Two women in Paletwa, Chin State, were reportedly injured in a junta artillery strike on Monday.

Currently, 92 Ron Octane is selling for 30,000 per litre in Arakan State and petrol can’t be bought easily.