Residents in Arakan Army-controlled townships of Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Gwa and Buthidaung in Arakan State say greater attention is needed to fire hazards during the current open season, after at least four fires were reported in December.

Local ethnic communities have expressed concern over their security in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships, which are under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), amid recent activities by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).

Among winter crops in the state, groundnut is the most profitable for farmers. However, farmers say they are unable to expand cultivation because of limited access to seeds.

Arakanese merchants in India say India–Arakan trade will be temporarily suspended for several days during the upcoming Christmas holiday.

Fighting is reportedly intensifying as Myanmar’s military regime launches a major offensive against Gotegyi camp in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region, which is occupied by a coalition force led by the Arakan Army (AA).

Those injured in the bombing of Mrauk-U Hospital are in urgent need of medical assistance and supplies, according to aid workers on the ground.

Justice for Myanmar and 209 local and international organisations jointly released a statement on Friday, saying the failure of international governments to take effective action against Myanmar’s military regime has enabled impunity and the continued commission of war crimes.

A report by the Strategic Initiative Forum (SIF) says elections organized by Myanmar’s military junta are not based on public consent but are aimed solely at ensuring the regime’s survival, describing them as the biggest fraud in the country.

Myanmar’s military and local resistance forces are reportedly engaged in fierce fighting near Weapons Factory No. 24, officially known as Directorate of Defence Industries (DDI) Factory No. 24 (KaPaSa 24), in Pauk Township, Magway Region.

Muslims are allegedly being charged K2 million to register with the Immigration Department, K15 million to apply for an identity card, and K200,000 for a recommendation letter.

Following the bombing of Mrauk-U Hospital, authorities have instructed local residents to dig bomb shelters amid growing concerns over air and artillery attacks in townships controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

Several social media platforms, including Twitch, Facebook, YouTube and MediaFire, have taken down accounts used by Myanmar’s military regime for propaganda purposes.

Myanmar’s military regime has launched a large-scale offensive against Nyaungkyo camp in Padaung Township, Bago Region, which is held by the Arakan Army (AA), but an AA-led coalition force intercepted the advancing troops, triggering heavy fighting.

DMG has learned that fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) is ongoing in Sittwe Township, Arakan State, and that junta soldiers wounded by heavy weapons fire are receiving treatment not only at military hospitals but also at a civilian hospital.

The statement said junta authorities subjected Ko Htet Myat Aung to severe beatings during his arrest and warned that there are grave concerns for his life.

Residents of Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State still under the control of Myanmar’s military regime, say they are facing growing hardships as prices of basic commodities continue to soar.

Myanmar’s military regime is reportedly reinforcing the Nat Yay Kan junta base in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region, bordering Arakan State, with troops from Padan and by building new bunkers.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing praised the Myanmar Air Force (MAF), saying the “good results” achieved so far were due to the courage and dedication of its officers and soldiers.

In an era when daily news from Arakan is often fragmented and fast-changing, DMG's Weekly Highlights of Arakan brings clarity, depth, and context to the stories that matter most.