Weekly Highlights from Arakan State (Feb 2 to 8, 2026)

By Admin 10 Feb 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.

Inmates escape from Kyaukphyu Prison amid heightened security

At least three inmates escaped from custody in junta-controlled Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, on February 3, despite heightened security in the town amid ongoing regional instability, according to local sources.

The incident occurred at around 1:00 pm while the inmates were being escorted outside the prison for a work detail. The prisoners reportedly attacked prison staff before fleeing.

One of the escapees was recaptured at around 9:00 pm the same day, while the remaining inmates are still at large. Sources said the fugitives were serving sentences for criminal offences, including theft and robbery.

Following the escape, junta soldiers and police tightened security across Kyaukphyu, conducting house-to-house searches, checking overnight guest lists, and deploying covert patrols throughout the town.

The incident has heightened concerns among residents, as Kyaukphyu has recently experienced an increase in criminal activities such as theft and muggings. Locals expressed worry over the deteriorating rule of law under military administration.

Although the military regime maintains control over Kyaukphyu town and its immediate surroundings, clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) continue to occur about 13 miles outside the urban area.

Residents say the lack of effective law enforcement has left them increasingly vulnerable to both armed conflict and rising local crime.

ULA seeks to strengthen public healthcare services in Arakan State

The United League of Arakan, the political wing of the Arakan Army, is working to strengthen healthcare services across the 15 townships it controls in Arakan State.

To improve public medical care the ULA Department of Health announced on January 31 that it will open a Nursing Science School and is inviting applications from local youths.

According to the announcement applicants who passed the old matriculation system before 2024 with a science combination must have a combined score of at least 170 marks in Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

Applicants who completed the new Grade 12 curriculum between 2021 and 2025 must have obtained at least a C grade in Biology Chemistry and Physics.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a four-year nursing program and sign a bond committing to serve as healthcare staff after graduation.

The recruitment follows earlier calls by the Department of Health for a Medical Science School in late December 2025 and midwifery training for women under 25 in August 2025.

Meanwhile residents remain afraid to seek treatment at hospitals and clinics as the Myanmar military regime continues to target medical facilities in Arakan State.

The ULA has also been recruiting personnel for various administrative sectors including education, healthcare, municipal services taxation and fire services.

Elderly IDP killed, two others injured in junta airstrike on Kyaukphyu village

An elderly internally displaced person (IDP) was killed and two others were injured when the Myanmar military regime carried out a paramotor airstrike on Mawgyi Village in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, where many displaced people have sought shelter.

The attack occurred at around 5 pm on February 2, when regime forces dropped five bombs on the village. An 85-year-old man who had fled his home and was staying in Mawgyi was killed instantly, while two local residents were injured.

The bombing also sparked fires that destroyed several houses in Mawgyi Village.

As fighting intensifies in Kyaukphyu Township, the military regime has been carrying out frequent attacks on civilian areas using aircraft, drones, heavy artillery and warships, resulting in rising civilian casualties.

IDPs said they are facing severe hardship as they are forced to flee repeatedly in search of safety.

On January 24, the regime targeted an IDP shelter in Muyin Village with drones, killing two people, including an IDP, and injuring five others. On January 22, a drone strike on Zinchaung Village also injured a man and a woman.

Due to the ongoing attacks, residents from at least 10 villages in Kyaukphyu Township have been forced to flee.

According to data compiled by DMG, the military regime carried out artillery and airstrikes on at least 10 villages in Kyaukphyu Township between February 20, 2025, and January 24, 2026, resulting in at least 135 casualties.

Religious freedom, interfaith harmony expand in areas controlled by AA in Arakan State

Religious leaders and local residents in Arakan State say people of different faiths in areas currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) are freely celebrating their religious festivals, with interfaith harmony becoming increasingly visible.

The United League of Arakan (ULA) has allowed Islamic, Hindu and Christian religious ceremonies to be held without restriction, while also providing administrative and security assistance, according to religious leaders.

They said religious practices were previously restricted and subject to discrimination under the former military regime, but those challenges have now been resolved.

On February 4, the 18th graduation ceremony of a Christian Bible school was held in an AA-controlled area. ULA officials attended the event, awarded cash prizes to students and formally recognized their achievements.

For the 75th Maha Ramayana Harinama Rama festival, a major Hindu religious event held in Maungdaw Township, the ULA provided K35 million in financial support, with officials also attending to encourage participants.

Social aid workers said conditions have improved significantly compared to the period under the military regime’s control, when religious freedom was suppressed and discrimination was widespread.

Observers also noted that equal rights related to freedom of movement and economic opportunities are being granted to residents across Arakan State, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Junta moves to convene Arakan State Parliament in Sittwe amid ongoing clashes

The military regime is reportedly preparing to convene the third session of the Arakan State Parliament in Sittwe, despite ongoing clashes and heightened tensions with the Arakan Army (AA).

U Htein Lin, the junta-appointed chief minister of Arakan State, and his team held a coordination meeting on Thursday to discuss the resumption of parliamentary sessions. Following the meeting, they inspected renovation work at the state parliament building.

The preparations come amid continued military tensions on the outskirts of Sittwe, where frequent exchanges of heavy artillery fire have been reported between junta forces and the Arakan Army.

At the same time, residents in Sittwe Township are facing rising commodity prices, while internally displaced persons (IDPs) are reportedly suffering from food shortages and extreme poverty.

Due to ongoing instability, only the first phase of elections was held in Arakan State. Nevertheless, the regime is proceeding with plans to convene the state parliament.

The Arakan State Parliament building is located on the Sittwe–Yaychanpyin road, west of the Regional Operations Command (ROC), and lies about three miles from an active conflict zone.

In the recent election held in only three townships of Arakan State, the Arakan Front Party (AFP), led by Dr. Aye Maung, secured a total of 8 seats. This includes 3 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw under the Proportional Representation (PR) system and 5 seats in the State Hluttaw.

Additionally, the Rakhine Nationalities Party (ANP), led by U Ba Shein, won a total of 6 seats. These consist of 1 seat in the Pyithu Hluttaw, 4 seats in the State Hluttaw under the PR system, and 1 seat in the Amyotha Hluttaw under the PR system.

ULA bans hunting and wildlife trade in Arakan State

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Management under the United League of Arakan (ULA) has issued a ban on hunting, killing, and trading wildlife to prevent species extinction in areas under the control of the Arakan Army in Arakan State.

The prohibition follows reports of unauthorized hunting in protected forest reserves, public forests, and government-managed mountains, as well as the commercial trade of captured wildlife without permission from the forestry department.

The forestry department warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who violates the ban.

The ULA has been implementing regulations to protect rare bird species, prevent forest depletion, and safeguard water resources across Arakan State.

Observers, however, have emphasized the need for effective monitoring and enforcement to ensure that the public fully complies with these guidelines.

The Arakan Army currently controls 14 townships in Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State, where it operates its own administrative machinery.

Two civilians wounded in junta airstrike on Thandwe

Two civilians were wounded and about 10 houses were destroyed after the military junta carried out an airstrike on Thandwe, a town currently controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

The junta bombed Ward 3 of Thandwe at around 2:00 PM on February 8. The victims have been identified as 50-year-old U Thet Aung and 43-year-old Ko Aung Than Tin.

Both wounded men are currently receiving medical treatment. Civilian casualties continue to rise in Arakan State as a result of the military junta's persistent aerial bombardments.