Weekly Highlights from Arakan State (Jan 26 to Feb 1, 2026)

By Admin 03 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.

Junta airstrike hits public internet access point in Ponnagyun Twsp

A Myanmar military jet fighter dropped at least four bombs on a public internet access point near Phetkhwetseik Village in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township at around 1:30 am on January 27, local sources said.

The targeted site is located alongside the Yangon to Sittwe Road near the border of Kyauktaw Township and serves as a vital communication hub providing internet services for local communities in Arakan State.

Amid a total mobile phone and internet blackout imposed by the military regime in Arakan State, the United League of Arakan has been providing limited Starlink internet services in its liberated areas to facilitate essential communication for the public.

The military regime has increasingly targeted crowded public areas and residential buildings with airstrikes across Arakan State.

Two internally displaced persons were killed and five others, including a nine-month-old infant, were injured when the regime carried out a drone attack on a school in Muywin Village in Kyaukphyu Township at around 1:00 pm. On January 24.

On the night of January 20, the military regime also bombed a prisoner of war camp near Chaungtu Village in Kyauktaw Township.

Fighting resumes for control of Sittwe

Fighting for control of Sittwe, which had stalled since the second week of January, reportedly resumed on January 25, with both sides exchanging fire.

Artillery fire, multiple launch rocket systems and small arms fire were heard from the morning of January 25 near the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships, as well as close to the Regional Command Headquarters and junta battalions. Fighting was reported to be ongoing.

The exchange of fire in Sittwe Township had stopped on January 13, but sounds of fighting returned on January 25 from areas including Kuntaung, Amyint Kyun and Sabahtar villages.

The Arakan Army has been attempting to expand its territory since capturing several outpost camps of the Sittwe based Regional Command Headquarters on January 9.

The Arakan Army has already captured military camps near Wahbo Island, Gangaw Island and Tawkan village in Sittwe Township.

The Arakan Army began attacking the outskirts of Sittwe in early January 2025, mainly using artillery and drones rather than ground offensives.

As Sittwe is the last remaining stronghold of the military regime in northern Arakan State, observers say fighting is likely to persist.

Skin diseases spread among displaced communities in Rathedaung Twsp

Skin diseases are increasingly affecting displaced people and local residents living in displacement camps and villages in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, according to aid workers and local residents.

An aid worker assisting displaced communities said people sheltering at Chaydawyar displacement camp and in Setthidar, Myathidar, Phyuchaung and Thazihdaunt villages on Mosel Island are among the worst affected.

More than 2,000 people, including many children, are living in these camps and villages. As the number of cases continues to rise, there is an urgent need for medical assistance.

Skin infections are also spreading at Minphu displacement camp on the banks of the Mayu River in Rathedaung Township, where infection rates have been increasing daily since early January.

The Minphu displacement camp shelters people who fled from villages in Sittwe Township, including Satyoekya, Byainepyun, Kyawtaw, Mingan and Kyeetel.

More than 200 displaced people, including children and elderly residents, are living in the camp and are in urgent need of medical supplies.

Similar skin disease outbreaks have been reported among displaced people and local residents in other townships in Arakan State, including Ponnagyun, Taungup, Kyaukphyu and Gwa.

Arakan Army strengthens maritime security along Bangladesh border

The Arakan Army has recently intensified maritime security operations along the border between Arakan State and Bangladesh, according to sources close to the ethnic armed group.

To address security threats faced by local residents and curb the activities of Muslim armed groups, the Arakan Army is carrying out clearance operations along the land border while maintaining regular patrols in Arakan territorial waters.

The Arakan Army is also reportedly increasing enforcement actions and arrests against Bangladeshi nationals who enter the Bay of Bengal and the mouth of the Naf River for illegal fishing activities.

Residents in Maungdaw said clashes frequently occur as Muslim armed groups often launch attacks on Arakan Army outposts.

Border residents said the groups typically retreat into Bangladeshi territory after launching attacks when pursued by Arakan Army forces.

Frequent clashes have been reported near villages including Wailartaung, Taungpyo Letwe, Leikya and Nanthartaung, where Muslim armed groups take advantage of dense jungle terrain to attack Arakan Army bases.

Local residents said they welcome the Arakan Army’s increased security presence, citing previous incidents in which Muslim armed groups carried out acts of violence, including the abduction and killing of villagers.

Myanmar Navy detains Pauktaw fishermen and demands ransom

Ten fishermen from Pauktaw Township in Arakan State who were detained by the Myanmar Navy on January 25 were released on January 27 after being forced to pay one million kyats each, local residents said.

The fishermen had departed from a jetty in Nyaungpinchaing Village and were heading toward the western sea when a Myanmar Navy vessel patrolling the area opened fire and chased their boat.

While in custody, the fishermen were reportedly beaten with sticks. Navy personnel demanded a ransom of one million kyats per person in exchange for their release.

In a separate incident on January 27, the Myanmar Navy also detained six Muslim fishermen who were working near Hsandawshin Island.

Local residents, already facing severe economic hardship due to the ongoing conflict, are increasingly being arrested while attempting to earn a living at sea.

Pauktaw Township, which is controlled by the Arakan Army, lies across the water from the Arakan State capital, Sittwe. Myanmar Navy vessels stationed around Sittwe regularly patrol the area and target local fishermen.

Junta battalions based in Sittwe and naval vessels also continue to shell Pauktaw Township with heavy artillery, creating serious obstacles for residents trying to sustain their livelihoods.

Junta drone attacks force Kyaukphyu villagers to flee

Residents from nearly 10 coastal villages in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, have been forced to flee their homes since early January due to the Myanmar military regime’s increased use of reconnaissance drones and aerial attacks.

Villagers from Kyaukpyauk, Wamyaung, Kyaukkalay, Zinchaung, Kin, Konbaung, Muywin, and Kalante are among those seeking safety.

While the exact number of displaced people is still being verified, local residents estimate that hundreds are now taking temporary shelter in orchards, farm huts, and other makeshift structures outside their villages.

Locals said the regime is launching drones from navy vessels stationed at sea, about four miles from the affected villages.

Although the villages are located between 10 and 15 miles from active frontline fighting, they have been targeted by heavy artillery, airstrikes, and drone operations.

On January 17, combined drone and naval artillery attacks on Kyaukkalay Village killed three displaced people and injured another.