Weekly Highlights of Arakan from October 6 to 12, 2025

By Admin 14 Oct 2025

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 attacks Arakan Army–controlled areas in Southern Arakan

The Myanmar military has launched air and naval assaults on parts of southern Arakan State controlled by the Arakan Army (AA).

At around 8 a.m. on October 10, a junta Y-12 aircraft dropped two bombs near Ywar Shay Village in Thandwe Township.

A day earlier, on October 9, junta naval vessels stationed off Ngapali Beach fired artillery shells toward the Thandwe area.

Locals said that previously only two naval ships had been operating in Thandwe waters, but since October 7, up to six junta vessels have been seen patrolling the area.

On the same day, October 9, junta naval ships off the coast west of Pone Ngyat Village in Gwa Township also fired heavy artillery 11 times.

Meanwhile, the junta has stepped up airstrikes on other townships under AA control across Arakan State.

The Arakan Army has urged the public to remain vigilant, warning that the junta has increased its use of naval, air, and heavy artillery attacks targeting AA-controlled areas.

■ ARSA ambush kills one civilian, injures two in Maungdaw

A local man was killed and two others were injured when members of the Muslim armed group ARSA carried out an ambush near Lakera Junction along the Kyein Chaung–Taung Pyo Letwae road in northern Maungdaw at around 3 p.m. on October 11.

The victims were three motorcycle couriers transporting basic commodities from Nantha Taung to Kyein Chaung. They were ambushed by about 10 ARSA members, according to local sources.

During the attack, 22-year-old Ko Nyein Chan was shot dead on the spot.

Two others — 23-year-old Ko Thaung Zinn and 33-year-old Ko Naing Linn — managed to flee but sustained serious injuries. 

The Arakan Army (AA) said it provided emergency medical assistance to the wounded men in time.

According to DMG records, from May 2024 to the end of September this year, at least 36 civilians have been killed and more than 11 injured in violent attacks by ARSA in the border areas of Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, near the Arakan–Bangladesh frontier.

■ Elderly man injured by junta naval shelling in Kyaukphyu

An elderly man from Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, was injured when the Myanmar military’s navy fired artillery shells from the sea.

At around 7 p.m. on October 10, one of the shells fired by junta naval vessels landed and exploded in Nga Oak Village, Kyaukphyu Township, injuring 86-year-old U Aung Zan with shrapnel wounds.

He is currently receiving emergency medical treatment for chest injuries caused by shrapnel, according to local sources.

Heavy clashes have been taking place in and around Kyaukphyu Township, and junta naval vessels have reportedly fired artillery shells into nearby villages where no fighting has occurred, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries.

The Arakan Army (AA) has urged residents of coastal towns and villages to remain extremely cautious and vigilant against potential naval and air attacks by the Myanmar military.

■ Muslim armed groups jointly attack Arakan Army in northern Maungdaw

Muslim armed groups have joined forces to launch coordinated attacks on the Arakan Army (AA) in northern Maungdaw, near the Arakan–Bangladesh border.

According to a military source, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has been attacking AA security outposts between Border Posts Nos. 51 and 57, while another Muslim armed group, the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), has been conducting assaults from the Kyikanpyin side.

On October 8, clashes broke out between ARSA and AA forces along the border, during which several ARSA members were reportedly killed or injured before retreating into Bangladesh.

Previously, only ARSA had been active in northern Maungdaw, but ARA has now joined in the coordinated attacks against the AA.

The Arakan Army said that ARSA members have established permanent bases along the Arakan–Bangladesh border and inside Bangladesh, from where they have been infiltrating into Arakan territory to fire on AA troops and carry out abductions and killings of civilians.

■ Junta campaigns in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu to urge residents to vote

Authorities under the Myanmar military regime are reportedly urging residents of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu — both towns still under junta control — to vote in the upcoming election, claiming it is necessary to “protect their citizenship rights.”

On the morning of October 9, junta-appointed administrative officials, including Arakan State Chief Minister U Htein Lin, erected signboards reading “Let’s vote to protect our citizenship rights” at busy intersections such as in front of U Ottama Park and along main roads in Sittwe, as well as near the clock tower in downtown Kyaukphyu.

In addition, local administrators in both towns have been instructed to hold meetings encouraging residents to “trust the election” and to vote “for the peace and stability of the country.”

Fighting continues between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Kyaukphyu Township, with the AA controlling areas up to six miles from the town.

Similarly, the AA has surrounded the outskirts of Sittwe, and military tensions remain high on both sides.

Despite the junta’s election-related mobilization efforts, many residents in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu say they are uninterested in voting, as they struggle with daily hardships and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

■ Around 50 civilians, including Taungup residents, arrested by junta

The Myanmar military has arrested around 50 civilians, including 36 residents from Taungup Township in Arakan State and more than 10 Chin nationals who were helping transport them, along the Taungup–Pandaung road, according to local sources.

A Taungup resident familiar with the situation said the group was detained earlier this month while traveling from Arakan State to central Myanmar in search of work. They were reportedly arrested in Pandaung Township, Bago Region.

Among those arrested are 12 people from Done Nwe San Village, nine from Yay Paw Gyi Village, six from Yat Taw Mu Village, six from Salue Village, and three from Pinnae San Village in Taungup Township, along with more than 10 Chin nationals from Pandaung Township.

Amid ongoing armed clashes in Arakan State, local residents are facing widespread job scarcity, rising commodity prices, and worsening livelihood hardships.

Meanwhile, the Arakan Army (AA) has announced that leaving Arakan State is currently restricted under emergency management measures. Although some people have been detained for attempting to leave, many continue to do so using various routes.

Those attempting to flee have also faced arrests at junta checkpoints outside Arakan State, and some detainees have reportedly been sent to military conscription training camps.