The number of civilians killed and wounded by landmines continues to rise amid the ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.

The military’s Kansauk Village-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 539 fired mortar shells into the village and a displacement camp this afternoon, causing the blaze, locals said.

A Muslim cleric in Thazigon Village, part of Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, was shot and critically injured by two unknown gunmen at around 3 p.m. on Thursday.

The junta artillery strikes have forced thousands to flee several villages such as Wahtaung, Kansauk, Panphechaung, Mee Yat Pyin, Lanpaikkhwin, Khwasone, Pyaungseik, Oattaungpyin, Pyainechaung, Apaukwa and Oosuntaung.

“A junta artillery strike killed an IDP woman and wounded three others in the village. Of the three injured, Ma Than Aye is said to be in critical condition,” said a local resident.

Residents in the Arakan State capital Sittwe have expressed fears for their safety after a shell fired by a junta battalion landed in their neighbourhood.

Among the victims were four in Mrauk-U, two in Kyauktaw and five in Minbya. Two each were injured in Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U and Pauktaw, and one in Maungdaw.

On the 61st anniversary of Ta’ang National Revolution Day, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said Friday that they will be united with the people for the eradication of military dictatorship, which is the common goal of the entire Myanmar people.

Nearly all of the homes in Taungphu Village, part of Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, were burned down by junta soldiers on Thursday, the Three Brotherhood Alliance said in a statement.

Myanmar’s military regime and Brotherhood Alliance have agreed to a temporary ceasefire after more than two months of intense fighting in northern Shan State.

The military has been responding to the AA’s offensive with joint army, navy and air forces since January 10 to prevent the ethnic armed group from seizing Minbya town.

A junta shelling of Apaukwa Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyauktaw Township, at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday killed a local man and injured another, elderly man.

Fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) has been escalating in Minbya, Arakan State, since 5 a.m. on Wednesday, according to local people.

The regime is grateful to China for its help in Myanmar’s peace process, said junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun in a press release about talks between the regime and China.

Junta troops killed three civilians that it had detained as human shields in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U town, according to local residents

A junta artillery strike on Diparyon Village, part of Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township, on Tuesday morning injured a local farmer, according to residents.

It has been nearly two months since the Arakan Army (AA) opened a new military front in Arakan State on November 13, following the launch of ‘Operation 1027’ on October 27.

Junta troops stationed on Mount Thin Kyeik, near Mrauk-U town in Arakan State, have surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) following an AA assault, according to residents.

Three civilians were wounded as regime forces shelled villages near the town of Mrauk-U, Arakan State, without there being any fighting in the area on Sunday.