Civilians displaced by the fighting in Arakan State are returning to their homes in areas controlled by the Arakkha Army (AA), but many are struggling to get back on their feet.

Family members have expressed concerns about the wellbeing of Muslims conscripted by Myanmar’s military regime in Arakan State as they cannot contact them.

The Arakkha Army (AA) seized all junta bases and military camps in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, on the night of May 17, according to reliable sources.

The number of people displaced by the junta’s targeted artillery attacks and airstrikes on residential areas has risen to nearly 20,000 in Araka State’s Thandwe Township, according to local people.

Twenty-six civilians were killed and 50 others were injured by junta shellings and airstrikes in Arakan State in the two weeks from May 1-15, according to a DMG tally.

A teenager was killed and two others were injured after they stepped on a landmine planted by the Myanmar military near a school in Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township on Wednesday.

Political analysts believe the fighting in Arakan State will be on the agenda for the fifth round of China-brokered talks.

A father from Kyauktaw Township said his 5-year-old son used to like airplanes, but he dreads them now and cannot even bear loud noises.

As many as 40 civilian casualties were reported by junta shellings and airstrikes in Arakan State in two days, according to a DMG tally.

Many women are facing unemployment and losing their incomes in Arakan State due to intense fighting across the state and junta travel restrictions, say women’s rights activists.

Some junta personnel are fleeing for their lives in Arakan State’s Thandwe Township amid Arakkha Army (AA) attacks on junta positions in the township.

At least 20 people, including healthcare workers and patients, were injured after the regime carried out an airstrike on a rural hospital in Welgyidaunt Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, on Wednesday morning,

Area military camps and a junta naval base fired multiple mortar shells that exploded in Linthi Village, killing the 10 local people; nine ethnic Kaman people and an Arakanese person.

Junta soldiers and Muslim conscripts have been looting and torching homes and shops in Maungdaw Townships after residents fled amid fighting between the regime and the Arakkha Army (AA).

One Thandwe resident said: “Junta soldiers have fired shots at road users since the fighting broke out. So, the AA has told residents not to travel on the road. There has been no trade since. As there are no new stocks, prices have increased.”

A junta airstrike on Kinchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, where fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) is escalating, killed three people and wounded five others on Tuesday afternoon.

A local man from Bogale Village in Kyeintalin Sub-township of Gwa Township, Arakan State, was reportedly taken by members of the military intelligence and police on Monday.

The storm primarily affected Sittwe, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Mimbya, Myebon and Ramree townships, causing massive destruction.

The Arakkha Army (AA) seized the military’s Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 345 and 352 near Tatminchaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township, on Monday, according to a ground source.