A junta soldier who defected to the Arakan Army (AA) has claimed that the military regime destroyed homes and monasteries in villages near Sittwe.

The commander of the Myanmar military's Western Command, Maj-Gen Kyaw Swar Oo, comforted injured military officers, soldiers, and police personnel receiving treatment at a military hospital in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, on the morning of July 20.

"After the 2021 military coup, most of the KNU's operations focused on expanding control of the Myanmar-Thailand border rather than expanding control of mainland Myanmar," the ISP-Myanmar report said.

Myanmar's military regime has rearrested 21 political prisoners who were briefly released from Pathein Prison in Ayeyarwady Region, charging them under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law and Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, according to sources close to the prison.

Myanmar's military regime, which engaged in battlefronts across the country, is reportedly experiencing a growing need for weapons and is ramping up domestic arms production.

Twenty young people from Ramree, aged between 20 and 30, who were travelling from Arakan State to Yangon and abroad, were reportedly detained by the Arakan Army (AA) and sent to a military training school.

Locals say Myanmar's military regime is sending reinforcements, weapons, and tanks from its Southwest Command in Pathein to Laymyethna Township in Ayeyarwady Region, where fighting is frequent.

Junta soldiers who defected to the Arakan Army (AA) have said that Myanmar's military regime forced conscripts to fight on the front lines, and shot those who retreated.

Some internally displaced people (IDPs) taking shelter on Myay Ngu Island in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, are reportedly unable to eat regular meals due to food shortages and are resorting to drinking rice water for sustenance.

Myanmar's military regime regained control of Nawnghkio, which was previously controlled by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State, on the morning of July 16, according to local residents.

The Arakan Army (AA) said on July 15 that the military regime is making serious efforts to regain territory lost to revolutionary forces across Myanmar.

Ethnic Mro people in Arakan State who were forced to flee their homes due to fighting have now returned to their respective homes, but many are facing rehabilitation challenges.

The Myanmar military has recently been conducting raids in Yekyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region, resulting in intense fighting between the military and coalition anti-regime forces led by the Arakan Army (AA).

Locals say a man with HIV from Pyaing Taung Village in Arakan State's Pauktaw Township has died due to a shortage of antiretroviral drugs (ART).

Myanmar's military regime, which has lost large areas of territory across the country, has been launching counter-offensives against the revolutionary forces since late May, and has been increasing its offensive pace as the rainy season sets in.

Some among the poorest in Sittwe, Arakan State, which is still under the control of Myanmar's military regime, are reportedly committing suicide due to hunger.

The Arakan Army (AA) is accelerating implementation of health sector efforts to ensure that all people in Arakan State have full access to healthcare services.

A concrete rural road used by more than 10 villages in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, has been damaged for about a month, causing travel difficulties for local residents.

Traders and local authorities say that almost all trade activities between Arakan State and Bangladesh have come to a standstill as Bangladeshi authorities have imposed restrictions on border trade gates between Arakan State and Bangladesh.