Weekly Highlights from Arakan (August 17 to 23, 2026)

By Admin 24 Aug 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.

ULA establishes special court for rape, major crimes

The United League of Arakan (ULA) has announced the establishment of a special court to hand down severe sentences for major crimes such as child rape, rape-murder and homicide in areas controlled by the Arakan Army.

Formed in August, the special court aims to expedite the imposition of maximum sentences on individuals convicted of sexual violence, child rape, rape and murder.

In an exclusive interview with Arakan Princess Media, Daw Hla Mya Khaing from the ULA Central Office stated that special emphasis is being placed on preventing and eliminating child rape.

The ULA emphasized two primary pillars regarding child rape: prevention and the swift imposition of severe punishments on perpetrators.

As reported cases of rape rise across areas controlled by the Arakan Army in Arakan State, effective legal action remains weak, drawing widespread criticism of the ULA Judicial Department.

Observers view the formation of the special court as a targeted attempt to address high-profile cases, expose the truth and deliver justice.

The ULA noted that it is also conducting sexual awareness training, distributing leaflets and providing legal education programs to reduce sexual violence.

Despite these awareness efforts, critics argue that the prevalence of rape stems from weaknesses within the ULA Judicial Department.

Women's rights advocates pointed out that escalating armed conflict in Arakan State, growing displacement, weakening rule of law, and disrupted public services and protection mechanisms have heightened safety risks for women.

In an exclusive interview with DMG, Kham Mai, Joint General Secretary of the Women's League of Burma (WLB), stated that persistent impunity is the primary reason for weak enforcement against sexual violence against women.

With sexual violence on the rise in conflict areas, activists emphasized that authorities must implement independent and credible investigations, hold perpetrators accountable and adopt survivor-centered response mechanisms.

At least 13 incidents of sexual violence, rape and child rape have been reported in Arakan Army-controlled areas this year, with the recent Autseik case in Ponnagyun marking the first instance of the ULA Judicial Department handing down a maximum penalty.

Junta airstrikes kill one, injure 22 civilians in Thandwe, Gwa

One civilian was killed and 22 others were injured after the military junta launched coordinated airstrikes involving more than 10 aircraft on Ngapali Town in Thandwe Township and Gwa Township, according to a statement released by the Arakan Army.

Around midnight on August 21, while residents were asleep, eight jet fighters, one Y-12 aircraft and one Y-8 aircraft dropped approximately 100 bombs on former junta bases, including Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 and Light Infantry Battalion No. 566, as well as surrounding areas where displaced civilians were sheltering in Ngapali Town.

The airstrike lasted for more than an hour, from around 2:00 a.m. until after 3:00 a.m. on August 21, killing one displaced civilian and injuring 14 others in Ngapali Town, the statement said.

At around 5:00 a.m. that same day, a jet fighter carried out two separate bombing runs on Nyaungchaung Village in Gwa Township.

During the first strike at around 5:00 a.m., a 500-pound bomb was dropped on Nyaungchaung Village High School, injuring seven displaced civilians sheltering inside and completely destroying the school building.

In the second strike at 5:05 a.m., another bomb was dropped on Dhamma Rakhita Monastery in Nyaungchaung Village, injuring one civilian and destroying monastery buildings, three residential homes, a peanut oil mill, a motorcycle, a bicycle and other personal property.

The military junta continues to conduct persistent airstrikes targeting civilian areas across Arakan State and elsewhere in Myanmar, leading to a rising toll of civilian casualties and property destruction.

Consequently, the Arakan Army has issued a renewed warning urging residents across Arakan State to remain highly vigilant against potential air and naval attacks by the military junta.

Ten children injured in unexploded ordnance blast in Maungdaw

Ten children were injured when unexploded ordnance detonated in Inndin Village, Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, on the morning of August 20, according to local residents.

The explosion occurred at around 11:20 a.m. when the children struck the explosive device while playing in a vacant compound. It remains unclear where they found the unexploded ordnance.

Six of the ten injured children are currently receiving emergency medical treatment for severe injuries and urgently require financial assistance for medical care.

During the battle for Maungdaw, junta forces were stationed in Inndin Village, leading locals to suspect that the detonated device was explosive ordnance left behind by junta forces.

Villagers noted that last year, a local woman from Inndin Village lost both legs after stepping on a landmine while gathering firewood near the village.

In a separate incident on June 27, a man sustained severe injuries after stepping on a landmine in 4th-Mile Ward, Maungdaw Town.

Although the Arakan Army frequently conducts mine clearance operations in Maungdaw Township, residents continue to face landmine hazards, posing ongoing challenges for locals who rely on nearby forests and hills for their livelihoods.

Arakan Army hands over 24 Bangladeshi fishermen to BGB

The Arakan Army handed over 24 Bangladeshi fishermen to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) after they were detained for illegally fishing in Arakan waters.

At around 1:30 p.m. on August 19, the Arakan Coast Guard (ACG) transferred the 24 Bangladeshi fishermen to BGB officials after they signed pledges.

The fishermen, who had entered Arakan waters to fish illegally, were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities after signing commitments not to trespass or fish illegally again.

Arakan Army officials transferred the fishermen to BGB authorities at a location along the border on the Naf River.

The 24 fishermen were apprehended by the Arakan Army between 2025 and early 2026 while illegally fishing in Arakan waters near Kyaukpandu Village in Maungdaw Township.

Following their arrest by the ACG, they were sentenced by a court in accordance with the legal procedures of the United League of Arakan (ULA) and served their respective sentences.

Bangladeshi fishermen frequently enter Arakan waters to fish illegally, and the Arakan Army periodically hands over apprehended fishermen to Bangladeshi authorities.

At least four children reportedly die of diarrhoea in junta-held Sittwe

A diarrhoea outbreak is spreading across Sittwe and nearby villages in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, with deaths reported among affected residents, according to local sources.

Cases have spread over the past week across several urban wards in Sittwe, Muslim villages and displacement camps.

Travel restrictions imposed by the military junta have created severe obstacles to accessing healthcare. As infection rates rise, concerns are growing for displaced people living in camps.

Diarrhoea cases are also widespread in Sittwe Town, where IDPs sheltering at local monasteries are unable to reach hospitals or clinics due to financial hardship.

According to residents, at least four children have died from the illness due to a lack of adequate medical treatment in the town and across Muslim displacement camps.

With the military junta tightening security and enforcing strict travel restrictions across Sittwe, local residents face severe livelihood and healthcare challenges, with Muslim villages and displaced populations bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Health professionals warn that diarrhoea can spread through contaminated food and water and poses a serious threat to people with weakened immune systems.

Basic education enrollment declines in Arakan State, ISP-Myanmar reports

Basic education enrollment is declining significantly in areas controlled by the Arakan Army in Arakan State, according to a report published this month by the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) titled “ULA/AA’s Governance and Beyond-Control Challenges.”

The report noted that primary school dropout rates are rising due to soaring costs of stationery and teaching supplies, while parents are also required to pay teacher salaries out of pocket.

Compounded by widespread job shortages and rising commodity prices, families in Arakan State are struggling to survive, forcing many students to leave school and help support their families.

Although an adult male earns an average daily income of around K30,000, it is insufficient to cover basic daily living expenses, leaving education and healthcare out of reach for many.

For a family with two students, monthly education expenses exceed K100,000, making it difficult for parents to cover the costs even for a single child.

According to figures from ISP-Myanmar, basic education enrollment in Arakan State stood at over 530,000 in 2021, dropping to over 370,000 in 2023 and falling further to around 300,000 in 2025, reflecting a continuous decline year after year.

Although the United League of Arakan (ULA) is attempting to systematically manage the education sector for the 2026-2027 academic year, it faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled staff and inadequate payroll systems.

Since the ULA is currently unable to pay salaries to education staff, school fees are being collected directly from parents to support teachers.

Consequently, educators emphasize that to bolster the education sector, the ULA should provide subsidies for students and set appropriate salary rates for teachers.

Meanwhile, free schools opened across Arakan State are seeing growing student enrollments, which has led to high demand for school supplies amid a shortage of aid.

ISP-Myanmar highlighted that unless free basic education is guaranteed to reduce high dropout rates, Arakan State faces a long-term shortage of skilled workers and educated individuals.