Developing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is key to reducing brain drain and boosting the economy of Arakan State, entrepreneurs in the state say.

In its meeting with the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar, the Arakan National Party (ANP) suggested that armed groups should not impose barriers on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar people affected by conflict. 

Tens of thousands of locals displaced by fighting between the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Myanmar military in Bago Region’s Kyaukkyi and Mone townships are in urgent need of food and medicine, according to locals.

A local man from Ahtet Khacheemyaung village in Arakan State’s Minbya Township is receiving emergency medical treatment in hospital after losing his right leg stepping on a landmine on June 3.

A man from Myarlikan village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township was grievously wounded in a landmine blast on Monday and later died in hospital, becoming the township’s second landmine fatality in less than a week.

The Arakan Army (AA) confirmed in a statement that Myanmar military airstrikes on Monday killed and injured some of its soldiers, and caused massive damages to its camp on the Thai-Myanmar border.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) living in displacement camps in Arakan State are suffering from diarrhoea, skin diseases and seasonal influenza, and are in need of better medical care, according to IDPs.

Farmers in Arakan State displaced by past fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar military say they have been unable to farm for up to three years, and are suffering numerous hardships.

The Arakan Front Party (AFP) has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy to Myanmar to mediate peace talks between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA).

Politicians have called for a prisoner swap to defuse rising military tensions between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State. 

Heavy rain is expected over the next two days in various parts of Arakan State, according to an official from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).

More than 100 locals have been forced to flee into Thailand by ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and anti-junta forces for a strategic outpost in Kayin (Karen) State’s Myawaddy Township, according to volunteers helping the refugees.

A local man from Wethmine village in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township who was severely injured in a landmine blast on July 1 succumbed to his injuries while undergoing medical treatment at Sittwe General Hospital on Saturday, according to a family member. 

U Tin Aung Oo, chairman of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RSCCI), said efforts were being made to establish direct trade with Bangladesh through Myanmar’s Arakan State this year.

More than 20,000 Myanmar citizens have been detained by Thai authorities for illegally crossing the border into Thailand since last year’s coup, according to migrant workers’ rights activists.

Two residents from the Arakan State capital Sittwe who were detained by Myanmar’s military regime for “being unable to give a satisfactory explanation about why they were loitering at night” were sentenced to one month in prison last week.

Ethnic language teachers in Arakan State complain that they have not yet received their June salaries.

Ferryboats and cargo vessels that were barred from leaving the Arakan State capital Sittwe for a week have been allowed to resume operations as of July 2, according to the Shwe Pyi Tan ferryboat service.

Three people including Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, a political and social activist detained by the Myanmar military, were charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code on Thursday, according to the Kyauktaw Myoma police station.