Weekly Highlights from Arakan (July 13 to 19, 2026)

By Admin 20 Jul 2026

In an era when daily news from Arakan is often fragmented and fast-changing, DMG's Weekly Highlights of Arakan brings clarity, depth, and context to the stories that matter most.

Each week, we round up key political, military, social, and humanitarian developments across Arakan State - connecting the dots between events and offering analysis to help audiences see the bigger picture.

This series is designed for readers and viewers seeking a concise yet comprehensive understanding of how ongoing conflict, governance shifts, and community issues continue to shape lives across Arakan.

Junta airstrikes kill five civilians, injure 32 across five Arakan townships in one week

Military regime airstrikes across five townships in Arakan State, Thandwe, Taungup, Gwa, Ponnagyun, and Pauktaw, killed five civilians and injured 32 others within a single week, spanning from July 13 to July 19.

On the evening of July 19, the junta launched a jet fighter airstrike near a Buddhist monastery located at the junction of Taung Poke and Ye Poke streams in Ponnagyun Township, injuring two Buddhist monks and one civilian.

On that same day, around 4:00 PM, a junta jet fighter carried out five airstrikes targeting the No. 2 Quarter police station and court in Thandwe, injuring four civilians and damaging several homes.

Also on July 19, the military regime dropped bombs via jet fighters on No. 2 and No. 3 quarters in Maei, located within Toungup Township, killing five local residents including two women and three men.

The injured included 11 women, 11 men, and one Buddhist monk. Among the deceased was a 12-year-old child, while nine children aged between 3 and 16 were among those wounded.

With the military regime increasingly launching air raids on towns and villages across Arakan State, local residents are strongly advised to remain vigilant regarding air attack threats.

Starlink policy changes raise communication blackout concerns in Arakan State

People in Arakan State, who are already facing widespread internet shutdowns, are increasingly concerned about possible communication disruptions following changes to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet policies.

Residents have relied heavily on Starlink services to maintain business operations, political engagement, information access and daily communication amid ongoing internet restrictions.

SpaceX recently announced that rules governing its Roam Plan, a feature that allows mobile usage across different areas, will change from August 17, 2026. The new policy will impose stricter limits on the duration and authorization of usage outside the country where devices were originally registered.

The policy change has caused concern among civil society organizations and residents in Arakan State, where Starlink has become a key source of internet access.

Following the 2021 military coup, mobile phone and internet services were shut down across Arakan State by the junta. To help residents maintain access to information and communication, the United League of Arakan introduced a registration system for Starlink terminals and officially authorized their use across the state.

As a result, Starlink has become a major communication tool for humanitarian organizations, local businesses and the general public.

However, Myanmar is not an officially authorized country under any formal agreement with Starlink. SpaceX has not issued an official announcement stating that it will terminate services for users in Myanmar.

Nevertheless, the new Roam Plan regulations have created uncertainty among users in Myanmar who operate Starlink devices through accounts registered in other countries.

Residents said any disruption to Starlink services would severely affect information sharing, humanitarian operations, education and business activities across Arakan State.

Separately, a joint statement by 255 civil society organizations warned that more than 13 million civilians across Myanmar could face communication disruptions due to Starlink restrictions imposed as part of efforts to crack down on cross-border cyber scam syndicates operating in the country.

Floods destroy small-scale livelihoods of Kyauktaw residents

Catastrophic flooding across at least 10 townships in Arakan State has submerged more than 300 wards and villages, affecting over 150,000 residents and destroying small-scale livelihoods.

Local residents said the floods have damaged large areas of farmland, plantations and livestock, which serve as key sources of income for communities across Arakan State.

In the Yoe Creek area of Kyauktaw Township, more than 10 villages were severely affected by flooding. Residents told DMG that small livestock, including chickens, pigs, goats, buffaloes and cattle, died after being swept away by strong currents, starving, or suffering from exposure to cold conditions.

Floodwaters also submerged household granaries, destroying stored paddy. Panphechaung Village Administrator U Maung Phyu Shwe said at least 40 pigs died in the village alone.

Farmers estimated that thousands of acres of paddy fields across more than 10 villages in the Yoe Creek area could be destroyed after remaining submerged for over a week.

In Taungpauk Village, the entire community was inundated, killing chickens, pigs, goats and cattle, while several buffaloes and cows remain missing.

With their livelihoods destroyed, many residents are now relying more heavily on nearby forests, collecting vegetables, cutting firewood and harvesting bamboo shoots to survive.

The destruction of small-scale livelihoods caused by the floods has dealt another major blow to Arakan State's economy, worsening hardships for impoverished families already struggling amid a prolonged livelihood crisis.

IDP octogenarian dies after taking own life amid livelihood hardships

An 85-year-old internally displaced person (IDP) died after taking his own life amid severe livelihood hardships, including rising commodity prices, limited job opportunities and an inability to afford medical treatment.

The victim, U Maung San Min from Wahbo Village in Sittwe Township, had been taking refuge in Taungnar Village, Ponnagyun Township. He died after taking his own life at around 9 PM on 14 July.

Family members said U Maung San Min had been suffering from appendicitis. Faced with rising living costs and unable to afford medical treatment, he reportedly took his own life.

Since the latest fighting in Arakan State began, the junta has imposed blockades across the state under its "four cuts" strategy, leaving many residents struggling to survive.

With limited employment opportunities and soaring prices of basic commodities, many IDPs are facing severe livelihood and healthcare challenges.

Local residents said some displaced people have taken their own lives after being unable to cope with these hardships.

In June, two other residents from Kyaukseik and Hsinthae villages in Ponnagyun Township also died after taking their own lives amid severe livelihood hardships.

Junta steps up aerial surveillance, attacks along Ramree-Taungup road section

The junta is reportedly conducting aerial surveillance and launching attacks using paramotors, gyrocopters and drones along the Ramree-Maei road section connecting Ramree and Taungup townships, according to local residents.

The aerial operations are being carried out along the entire road section by junta forces based in Kyaukphyu, the Taung Maw Gyi naval station and naval vessels deployed near Minkyaung Creek in Ramree Township, using paramotors, gyrocopters and drones.

Junta forces began monitoring and attacking the road section during the second week of July. On July 14, they used a gyrocopter to bomb the Minkyaung Creek Bridge.

The Ramree-Taungup road section passes through the Wunbaik Mangrove Forest and connects Ramree and Kyaukphyu townships. The Minkyaung Creek Bridge, which was bombed by the junta, is located inside the Wunbaik Mangrove Forest and is only about nine miles from the Taung Maw Gyi naval station, where intense clashes are currently taking place.

The Ramree-Taungup road section serves as a vital economic route for local commerce. Due to the ongoing attacks, residents are living in constant fear, while their daily socio-economic activities have suffered significant disruption.

Locals believe the junta's intensified aerial surveillance and attacks along the road section are strategic military operations aimed at cutting supply lines to the Arakan Army amid ongoing fighting in Kyaukphyu.

In addition to monitoring and attacking the Ramree-Taungup road section, junta airstrikes are also threatening three villages near Mt. Peinne on the edge of the Wunbaik Mangrove Forest.

Riverbank erosion leaves 18 households homeless in Minbya

Severe flooding in Minbya Township, Arakan State, from 7 July to 12 July caused extensive erosion along the Laymyo River, destroying at least 18 homes across three urban wards and leaving dozens of other households at risk.

The destroyed homes included three in U Soe Tint Ward, five in Lanmadaw Ward and 10 in Shwepyisoe Ward.

Minbya town experiences riverbank erosion almost every year due to the strong currents of the Laymyo River. Residents said assistance for families who lost their homes remains limited.

Local residents also said retaining walls built by previous governments failed to prevent the annual erosion because of poor construction and inadequate engineering.

They called on the United League of Arakan to build properly designed retaining walls to provide

The Wai Hun Aung Philanthropic Group has provided K10 million in emergency assistance to families whose homes were destroyed by the erosion.

Continuous heavy rainfall since early July has caused widespread flooding across at least 10 townships in Arakan State, resulting in riverbank erosion, damage to homes, thousands of acres of farmland, roads and bridges.