Junta troops are preparing to make a defensive stand at the Western Command headquarters in Ann Township, Arakan State, following significant losses to the Arakkha Army (AA) over recent months, according to sources.

The demand for sand has significantly increased recently as the construction industry has revived in some townships liberated by the AA.

Fighting remains oftentimes intense in Maungdaw, and international aid agencies and local civil society organisations are unable to resume humanitarian operations due to ongoing clashes and the threat of junta airstrikes.

At least 17 civilians have been killed and 31 others injured as the junta has bombed Thandwe at least five times since the AA's seizure of the town on September 5.

An Arakan worker in Mongla explained: “We still could work with remaining building materials after the border was closed. But they ran out nearly two months ago, leaving us with no job to do. We are struggling to make ends meet.”

The AA seized at least 10 military camps near the No. 5 Military Operations Command in Taungup Township and the University of Taungup during that period, the statement said.

“The AA continues to launch an offensive assault on the regime’s Border Guard Police Battalion No. 5, the last standing junta battalion in besieged Arakan State’s Maungdaw,” the statement added.

Goods from India are imported to Ramree Township via Arakan State’s Kyauktaw and Minbya townships, resulting in high transportation costs that have in turn led to prices rising dramatically.

On November 24, the AA took full control of Taungup Town from the regime.The AA stated that thieves have been arrested daily with stolen items despite security measures taken by the ethnic armed group to prevent theft.

September saw at least 520 clashes in 116 townships, while in October, there were at least 521 clashes across 125 townships, with nine more townships experiencing active conflict.

The AA began attacking the regime's No. 5 Military Operations Command and LIB Nos. 346 and 544 on November 21, taking control of the military's LIB No. 346 on Wednesday evening.

Since October of last year, 12 out of 15 regions and states in Myanmar have been affected by intensified fighting between various armed groups and the junta.

A junta jet fighter carried out aerial bombardments on the village twice on November 27, hitting a sub-power station and homes in the village.

The AA began attacking the regime’s No. 5 Military Operations Command on November 21, with the junta responding to the AA assault with aerial and artillery attacks.

Myanmar's military regime has blown up Kinpone Bridge, connecting Kinpone Village and Kanthayar Beach in Gwa Township, Arakan State, according to residents.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday marked the launch of the UNiTE campaign — 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from November 25 to December 10.

The British government stands united against gender-based violence in Myanmar and around the world, O’Flaherty said.

Several stalls in addition to some homes were burned to the ground in a regime aerial bombardment at around 4 p.m. on November 25, said a source.

The Chin Defense Force - Asho (CDF - Asho) ambushed junta troops providing security for regime reinforcements heading to Ann, the headquarters of the Myanmar military's Western Command, on the Ann-Padan Road on Monday.