Myanmar's military regime has beefed up security in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, following a clash with the Arakkha Army (AA) in rural Sittwe on August 30, according to residents.

The regime, which is being militarily defeated across the country, is increasingly targeting civilian populations.

Since August, private ships have been banned from docking in Sittwe, which depends on air and sea routes for supplying basic goods, essentials and even furniture for residents, according to local merchants.

The local woman was wounded after a bomb dropped by a junta jet fighter exploded near a monastery in the village on the evening of September 2.

Seventy percent of 330 townships across the country are experiencing armed conflicts of varying intensities. Anti-regime groups have seized more than 70 towns.

The junta's Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 232 and 344, and a military training school are based in Padaleik. The regime has been reinforcing its positions in the village since last month.

Some people in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Pauktaw townships, Arakan State, are reportedly suffering from skin diseases and are in need of medicine.

A 69-year-old man from Ngatpyawchaung Village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township was fatally injured in a landmine blast on Friday.

A local man in his 40s was wounded after a bomb dropped by a junta jet fighter fell and exploded near a monastery in the village on August 31.

On June 8, witnesses reported spotting more than 20 unidentified, blindfolded corpses in a creek near Aungtaing Village, located close to the junta's battalion headquarters 10 miles west of Sittwe.

During a trip to Bago on Friday, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing called on the Myanmar people to join hands with his regime to enforce the rule of law and public security.

The warning, which went viral on social media on Friday, told the TNLA to "immediately stop fighting and cooperate with China in maintaining peace and stability in northern Shan State and along the China-Myanmar border."

A junta battalion and Myanmar Navy vessels in Sittwe fired mortar shells into some villages in Ponnagyun and Rathedaung townships following the clashes with the AA, the military source added.

International companies, private military arms brokers and commercial airlines have transferred ATR aircraft to the Myanmar military since 2013, JFM said.

Junta blockades imposed since fighting resumed between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) mean they cannot bring in raw materials. Some were also displaced by the fighting or junta raids.

A court inside Sittwe Prison sentenced dozens of Byaing Phyu villagers being prosecuted for their alleged ties to the Arakkha Army (AA) to three years in prison and imposed a fine of K500 each on Friday.

While retreating from Maungdaw, meanwhile, junta soldiers destroyed homes and buildings that were once used to defend against AA attacks.

Local residents in Arakan State are suffering from a food crisis and limited employment opportunities amid junta blockades of both roadways and waterways. 

With mobile phone and internet shutdowns and fewer mobile money agents making it difficult to convert donations into cash, there have been delays in helping internally displaced people (IDPs).