The Arakan Army (AA) took control of the entire Paletwa area on January 14, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on Sunday, two months after AA forces began their attacks on regime positions in Chin State’s Paletwa Township and in neighbouring Arakan State.

The houses caught fire after multiple bombs dropped by a junta Y12 jet fighter landed and exploded in downtown Minbya on Saturday.

The AA seized a haul of weapons during the capture of the two junta strategic bases. The junta tactical command base is located near Meewa Village, a border village between Paletwa and Kyauktaw townships.

Displacement has been reported across Arakan State with the exception of Thandwe, Manaung and Gwa townships, according to a civil society organisation helping displaced people.

At least 700 homes across Sittwe, Pauktaw, Maungdaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya and Ramree townships were destroyed due to junta arson attacks and artillery strikes during the first two months of the latest fighting in Arakan State.

The outcome comes after the military regime, which has been struggling with military issues, met three times in December and January for talks with the Three Brotherhood Alliance, with China’s mediation.

At least 80 Arakan State residents were killed and 234 others were injured by junta air, artillery and drone strikes in the two months since renewed fighting broke out on November 13, according to a DMG tally.

Myanmar’s military regime on Friday carried out air and artillery attacks on villages in northern Shan State, breaking a ceasefire reached the day prior, according to the Brotherhood Alliance.

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.