The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army released a statement on June 1 offering to enter into a bilateral ceasefire with the Tatmadaw as a basis for further peace negotiations. 

A military contingent was rocked by twin mine blasts that also killed a civilian near Kinchaung Bridge on the Yangon-Sittwe highway in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, at 11:30 a.m. on June 2, according to locals. 

A handful of strategic positions that had been held by the Arakan Army in Chin State’s Paletwa Township and Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, were captured by Tatmadaw forces in recent days, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief reported. 

A pair of village administrators from Myebon Township, Arakan State, are facing a lawsuit opened under two sections of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to their families. 

Police have opened a case against two residents of Mrauk-U district in under the Counter-Terrorism Law after the Tatmadaw detained them for nearly six months, family members of the men told DMG. 

Four civilians from Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, sustained bullet wounds on May 30 at about 8 p.m., residents said. 

For many villagers in Arakan State, there’s never been a more dangerous time to earn a living. Those who harvest wood or bamboo, forage for vegetables, engage in hillside cultivation, or otherwise rely on the lands surrounding their villages for livelihood take a risk every time they venture out as landmine encounters evidence increasing militarisation of the region.

A woman from Meeletwa (lower) village in Chin State’s Paletwa Township died of a bullet wound to the abdomen on May 30, according to residents.

The Arakan Army said it had released three family members of Border Guard Force personnel who were abducted after an attack on the Thazin Myaing BGF police outpost in Rathedaung Township, as well as a health worker who was detained previously. 

Many farmers from conflict-wracked northern Arakan State are unable to repay agricultural loans disbursed for the 2019 monsoon paddy growing season, said U Aye Thein, manager of the Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank’s Arakan State branch.

The Arakan Army attacked the Thazin Myaing Border Guard Force outpost in Rathedaung Township in the early hours of May 29 and an exchange of fire ensued, residents said.

A resident of Shwe Kyan village in Minbya Township was seriously injured when he stepped on a landmine while heading to a hill to cut bamboo on May 28, family members said. 

A married couple facing charges under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law over a deadly explosion they were implicated in near U Daung village in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, have been released by the Maungdaw Township Court.

One person was killed and two others were injured when a banyan tree near Ann Airport fell down in strong winds on the morning of May 28, according to the Arakan State Fire Services Department.

A resident of Thaung Pyin village in Arakan State’s Myebon Township died after stepping on a landmine on May 28, family members said.

A man from Nga Pukwa village in Minbya Township, Arakan State, was severely injured by gunfire on May 27, villagers told DMG.

Family members want authorities to investigate the deaths of five people whose bodies were found in shallow graves last month in Arakan State’s Minbya Township.

With dozens of houses burned down at Meeletwa (lower) village in Chin State’s Paletwa Township this week, former residents say they will now struggle to return home even as pressure mounts for some to vacate the schools that they have been displaced to.

Fish and prawn traders are having difficulties sending their goods from Arakan State to Yangon due to COVID-19, said Daw Khin Khin Kyi, assistant head of the Department of Fisheries in Kyaukphyu district.