Thousands of residents in at least five villages in Ponnagyun Township, Arakan State, are fleeing ongoing fighting as heavy weapons are fired from junta battalions based in Sittwe, local residents said.

Farmers in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, are facing difficulties harvesting their paddy this season due to the threat of heavy weapons and airstrikes from Myanmar’s military regime.

The junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on December 6 that elections cannot be held in 71 village-tracts and wards in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships, according to Myanma Alinn Daily. All are areas nominally under military regime control.

Heavy fighting is ongoing between the military regime and an Arakan Army (AA)-led coalition in Laymyethna and Thabaung townships, with regime forces conducting repeated airstrikes, according to military sources.

Local people in Arakan State say the Arakkha People’s Government needs to strengthen the role of ethnic communities in governance, justice, health, regional development and education in areas under Arakan Army control.

More than 700 displaced families sheltering on Mosel Island in Rathedaung Township, Arakan State, are suffering from skin diseases, according to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and social support groups.

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Farmers say there is effectively no paddy market in Arakan State this harvest season, leaving them vulnerable to exploitative practices by traders and facing significant losses.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is building new inter-village roads in Paletwa Township, Chin State, projects that local residents say are vital for rural development, including social, health and economic needs.

Local civil society organizations in Arakan State’s Arakan Army (AA)-controlled areas are marking the global 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually from November 25 to December 10.

In recent days, the parties have been putting up victory signs, distributing leaflets, providing free meals, giving away T-shirts, and making donations to monasteries.

According to DMG research, 80 percent of the families of landmine victims in Arakan State have seen their livelihoods affected as a result of the ongoing military conflict.

With the arrival of the rice harvest season, prices are falling slightly in some Arakan Army-controlled townships in Arakan State, according to local sources.

Political analysts say Myanmar’s military regime is using the release of political prisoners to draw attention and gain support for the upcoming elections.

Tensions between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) are running high in Sittwe, the Arakan State capital, with skirmishes reported between the two sides, according to local residents and military sources.

The United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the Arakan Army, is reportedly planning to establish a new village in the Maungdaw region, which borders Bangladesh, in an effort to enhance municipal administration and security.

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

The IIMM said it has received an increasing number of reports of international crimes committed by the regime.

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