Weekly highlights of Arakan (24–30 November 2025)

By Admin 02 Dec 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 airstrike on Kyauktaw village kills seven, injures ten

A junta jet fighter dropped a 500-pound bomb on Kyaungpho Village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township at around 10:40 a.m. on November 28, according to villagers.

The bomb exploded in the middle of the village, killing seven civilians — two men and five women. Another 10 people were injured, including three men and seven women.

Four houses in Kyaungpho Village were also completely destroyed in the airstrike.

The Arakan Army says the military regime, facing a final crisis, is blatantly committing war crimes by bombing innocent civilians who are not military targets, and by shelling and massacring them.

Paletwa–Mizoram trade route reopens after two-week diarrhea outbreak closure

India has reopened the Paletwa–Mizoram trade route after more than two weeks of closure aimed at containing a diarrhea outbreak, according to local traders.

The route, shut by the Mizoram State Government and the Arakan Army from 12 to 24 November, reopened on Monday and resumed traffic on 25 November, traders said.

The two-week closure left hundreds of Arakanese people seeking medical treatment and hundreds of thousands of traders stranded along the border and in Mizoram State.

The shutdown also resulted in the destruction of food supplies caught in transit, dealing a further blow to grassroots communities in Arakan State who rely on cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

The Mizoram–Paletwa Road is a major border trade artery for Arakan State, particularly as Myanmar’s military regime continues to impose a trade blockade on the region.

RNP chair U Ba Shein pledges airport, solar plant upgrades in Manaung

Rakhine Nationalities Party (RNP) Chairman U Ba Shein has pledged to expand and renovate the defunct airport in Manaung Township, Arakan State, and to provide electricity through a solar plant.

He said Manaung Island has potential for additional solar power generation, adding that efforts would be made to expand both the existing solar plant and Manaung Airport.

On November 22, he outlined the RNP’s policies, stances, processes and election promises via the junta-controlled Myanmar Radio and Television.

If these issues are addressed, tourism will grow in Manaung Township and opportunities for regional development will increase, U Ba Shein said.

He also pledged to address the difficulties facing people displaced by armed conflict and political instability in Arakan State and mainland Myanmar.

Politicians say the upcoming election will only serve to prolong military rule and create a false appearance of public participation, rendering candidates’ promises meaningless.

Junta warships shell Gwa coastline villages

Villages along Gwa’s coastline in Arakan State are facing daily threats from heavy weapons fired by Myanmar Navy warships, local residents report.

“The junta warships fire artillery every day. We see many vessels moving around. Locals are worried that if the shelling continues, they could be attacked again. Where can they escape to?” said a resident of Gwa Township.

The naval shelling has disrupted local livelihoods. Fishermen are unable to go out to sea, raising concerns about food shortages.

As the election approaches, the military regime appears to be intensifying attacks against Arakan Army-controlled areas in Thandwe, Gwa, Taungup and Ann townships. Military operations include artillery shelling, airstrikes and naval assaults.

The number of casualties is rising as the military regime continues to target civilian areas without distinguishing between military and civilian.

Seven civilians were killed and 10 others injured after a junta jet fighter dropped a 500-pound bomb on Kyaungpho Village in Kyauktaw Township at around 10:40 a.m. on November 28.

The regime’s advance toward Gwa through Ayeyarwady Region has led to heavy fighting with Arakan Army-led forces in Thabaung, Pathein, Shwe Thaung Yan townships and near Magyizin Village.

Regime steps up civilian arrests in Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has continued arresting civilians in Sittwe this month for various reasons, heightening concern among local residents.

On November 21, U Maung Nge, U Nandar and U Win Naing from Setyonesu Ward were detained under the pretext of overnight guest checks, according to residents.

Three locals fishing in Sat Yoe Kya Creek were arrested on November 18, and another man from Setyonesu Ward was detained on November 16.

Residents say the regime is extorting money, conducting frequent security checks and issuing threats as tensions rise in the Arakan State capital.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army continues along the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships, with the regime carrying out daily artillery, air and drone attacks on Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Pauktaw townships.

With the military regime blocking all exits from the city, those remaining in Sittwe are facing food and health challenges, job shortages and rising prices.

Many local residents, including daily wage earners and villagers unable to pay extortion money, are sheltering in monasteries as displaced people.

Tobacco farmers struggle amid market collapse and falling demand

Tobacco farmers in Arakan State say the industry is struggling due to a lack of market access and declining demand.

Last year, one viss of tobacco fetched between K45,000 and K150,000, and demand was strong. But this year, prices have dropped to between K20,000 and K50,000 per viss, according to growers.

“This year we planted tobacco, but there is no market. Since other countries are not exporting tobacco, there is no market for ours. We are in a situation where we have to seriously reconsider growing tobacco,” said a tobacco farmer in Kyauktaw Township.

Tobacco is commercially grown in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Ramree and Manaung townships. It was once widely used in Arakan State, supporting a stable local market and providing livelihoods for many farmers.

But the industry has declined in recent years as more people switch to cigarettes and cheroots produced in mainland Myanmar.

Tobacco from Ramree Township was previously exported to towns including Myebon, Taungup, Thandwe and Kyaukphyu. But growers say they can now sell only within their own township due to ongoing fighting and road blockades.

As armed conflict disrupts economic activity across Arakan State, farmers who depend on agriculture are struggling to survive.