Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has called on the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to bar the Myanmar military from a planned workshop on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, warning that its participation could provide access to knowledge that might enhance its drone capabilities.

The military regime launched intensive airstrikes using fighter jets on Kuntaung Village and surrounding areas in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, near the Sittwe border, on the morning of September 17, according to local sources.

Residents in villages near the Mayu Mountain Range bordering Sittwe Township have established night watch posts due to ongoing heavy fighting in Sittwe and security concerns over reported Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) movements, local sources said.

Norwegian authorities have charged telecommunications giant Telenor ASA in two separate cases linked to its former operations in Myanmar, including alleged complicity in crimes against humanity and violations of Norwegian sanctions legislation.

Cross-border trade between India and Arakan State along a key border corridor has been temporarily halted for three days following a verbal dispute between local Mizoram youths and Arakanese merchants.

Heavy fighting continues in Kyaukphyu Township as the military junta deploys combined army, navy, and air forces to launch offensives at least five locations.

Clashes between the military junta and the Arakan Army have continued for more than 10 days along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border, according to local military sources.

The Maungdaw District Court sentenced a 16-year-old to 10 years in prison on September 4 for raping and murdering a toddler in Aung Thukha Village, Maungdaw Township.

Civilian casualties continue to rise across Taungup, Thandwe, and Gwa townships as the military junta carries out persistent airstrikes and heavy artillery bombardments across southern Arakan State.

A photo exhibition titled “Silent Message” opened on Monday in Mae Sot, Thailand, aiming to raise international awareness of the struggles of war-affected civilians in Arakan State and generate aid for displaced populations.

Family members reported that nine youths ineligible under the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) were among recruits taken from Innshae Village in Mrauk-U Township.

Clashes continue across Kyaukphyu Township following renewed military maneuvers by the military junta, with the Arakan Army seizing weapons, ammunition, and bodies of junta soldiers during recent engagements, according to military sources.

Arakan Army (AA) says Myanmar’s military is carrying out repeated airstrikes on civilian-populated areas across Arakan, causing mounting casualties and property damage amid escalating fighting.

The military junta has launched a major offensive with five military columns comprising around 1,000 troops along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border, where heavy fighting is ongoing, according to military sources.

Seven guarantors who signed travel authorization documents for youths eligible under the National Defense Emergency Provision (NDEP) were detained for nearly one month after the permit recipients fled Arakan State, according to local sources.

At least 5,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering in Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships are facing the threat of starvation due to severe rice shortages, according to the Zinchaung Youth Philanthropic Association.

Officials from the Myanmar military junta and Cambodia held talks on closer bilateral cooperation in defence and security, according to a statement released by the junta-controlled Ministry of Information (MOI).

Young people and local residents across Yangon Region report growing fear during routine travel as the military junta accelerates forced conscription and street-level arrests for portering to meet military recruitment targets.

Ongoing battles along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun border have left residents from Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Rathedaung, and border villages near Ponnagyun facing severe security risks while travelling to Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya townships.