Weekly Highlights from Arakan (April 27 to May 3, 2026)

By Admin 04 May 2026

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.

Each week, we round up key political, military, social, and humanitarian developments across Arakan State - connecting the dots between events and offering analysis to help audiences see the bigger picture.

This series is designed for readers and viewers seeking a concise yet comprehensive understanding of how ongoing conflict, governance shifts, and community issues continue to shape lives across Arakan.

Regime conducts air operations over Arakan State from four airbases

According to Ex-Regime Airforce (ERA), an air monitoring group, the military regime is conducting sustained air operations against townships in Arakan State using four key airbases, as part of efforts to exert pressure on local populations.

ERA released a statement on April 28 warning of continued air threats across the state.

The report identifies Tada-U, Meiktila, Nay Pyi Taw, and Magway as the primary airbases used to launch widespread airstrikes.

Residents reported that on April 29, the regime carried out coordinated airstrikes near the Min Creek Bridge on the border of Ponnagyun and Sittwe townships, as well as on Mosel Island in Rathedaung Township.

ERA noted that while the Arakan Army controls 14 out of 17 townships in Arakan State, as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State, the regime is deliberately targeting civilians with bombing campaigns, mirroring tactics previously used in northern Shan State.

The report also states that the regime has shifted from deploying single aircraft to launching coordinated strikes with multiple jets, dropping large volumes of bombs simultaneously.

According to DMG data, at least 491 civilians have been killed and 839 injured in regime airstrikes in Arakan State between April 2024 and April 2026.

Despite inviting ethnic armed organizations, including the Arakan Army and People’s Defence Forces (PDFs), to peace talks within 100 days, the regime continues to escalate attacks on the ground.

Essential commodity prices surge amid blockades, trade disruptions in Arakan State

Prices of basic food and household commodities have sharply increased across Arakan State as Myanmar military blockades disrupt trade routes, while recent arrests of traders by the Arakan Army (AA) have further strained supply flows.

Around a week ago, prices of key items included K7,000 per viss of onion, K10,000 per viss of garlic, K7,500 per liter of Indian cooking oil, K25,000 per sack of Sunday coffee mix, and K10,000 per viss of ginger.

Market prices have now risen to around K10,000 per viss of onion, K15,000 per viss of garlic, K10,000 per liter of cooking oil, K27,000 per sack of coffee mix, and K18,000 per viss of ginger, according to local traders.

While most essential goods are becoming more expensive, the price of dried yellow prawns, one of Arakan State’s local products, has dropped from around K100,000 per viss to about K50,000.

Since fighting escalated in November 2023, trade routes into Arakan State have been heavily restricted, forcing reliance on limited supply corridors via India and the Magway–Saw Road.

Merchants say movement has become more difficult after the military established a permanent base and expanded checkpoints along the Kangyi Village route linking Arakan State and Saw.

The Arakan Army has also reportedly detained traders and youths at checkpoints in Paletwa Township, accusing them of attempting to leave the state. Following these arrests, boat operators, drivers, and merchants say they are increasingly avoiding travel to India to procure goods, further reducing supply.

Some traders are also accused of increasing prices on existing stocks, worsening pressure on consumers.

Residents already facing conflict-related hardship warn that further price increases could deepen food insecurity across the state.

Hundreds of IDP shelters damaged as heavy rain, strong winds hit Arakan State

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Arakan State are facing severe difficulties after heavy rain and strong winds in recent days damaged their shelters, leaving many unable to carry out repairs.

On April 29, heavy rainfall and strong winds struck Arakan State, damaging the roofs of approximately 500 IDP shelters in Ponnagyun Township, according to aid workers.

The IDP shelters, which are temporary huts made of bamboo, nipa palm leaves, and tarpaulin sheets, were unable to withstand the severe weather.

In Kyaukphyu and Ramree townships, where over 30,000 IDPs are sheltering, more than 10,000 people are reportedly facing difficulties due to a lack of secure housing.

Many IDPs are living in temporary shelters along roadsides, in open fields, and near forested hills, facing natural disasters alongside ongoing livelihood challenges.

Over 2,000 IDPs in Rathedaung Township said financial hardship has made it impossible to repair their homes.

Similarly, IDP camps in Kyauktaw, Minbya, Gwa, Ann, and Taungup townships are in urgent need of shelter assistance.

Since fighting resumed in Arakan State in November 2023, more than 600,000 people have been displaced, facing a lack of aid, rising commodity prices, and limited job opportunities, along with increasing exposure to natural disasters.

Over 30 Sittwe residents detained in three days during guest list checks

Residents in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State currently under regime control, report that junta officials are conducting surprise overnight guest list checks in crowded neighborhoods and public areas to carry out arrests and extort money.

Junta personnel conducted these surprise inspections for three consecutive days, from April 24 to 26, in neighborhoods including Shwe Pyar, Nazi, Ohn Tapin, and Myo Thugyi, arresting nearly 30 local residents.

Locals added that the current status of the detainees and whether they will be released remains unknown.

Under the pretext of conducting overnight guest list checks, the regime is inspecting not only residential neighborhoods but also displacement camps and monasteries where internally displaced persons are staying.

Since the fighting began in Sittwe Township, the Arakan Liberation Party and the regime have been working together to arrest and extort locals, press-gang individuals into porter fees, and dismantle vacant houses to sell the materials.

In Sittwe Township, the regime and the Arakan Army remain in a standoff, with frequent exchanges of heavy artillery fire.

Due to the regime's strict security measures, arrests, and blockades within Sittwe, basic manual laborers and internally displaced persons are facing significant hardships.

Air ticket prices to Manaung soar to more than double official rate

Air ticket prices for flights between Manaung and Yangon have risen to more than twice the official rate, according to local residents.

Although the official ticket price for the Yangon to Manaung route is set at K630,000, tickets are currently being sold for up to K1.5 million.

Flight services to Manaung were suspended after the 2021 military coup and resumed on April 24 under the leadership of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Flights now operate three times a week, connecting Manaung with Yangon, Kyaukphyu, and Sittwe. Tickets are sold by Myanmar National Airlines and Manaung Public Company.

Although the resumption of flights was intended to ease travel for residents, some locals say it mainly benefits ticket sellers.

The service resumed five months after U Ba Shein, founder of the Rakhine Nationalities Party, promised in November 2025 to arrange flights to Manaung.

There are also criticisms that the expansion of flight services is aimed at supporting military logistics rather than public transportation.

Among the three towns in Arakan State still under regime control, active fighting is ongoing in Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, while Manaung has not yet seen clashes.

Regime-appointed Arakan CM claims development plans underway amid widespread hardship

Regime-appointed Chief Minister U Naing Oo has stated that plans are being implemented to create job opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and grassroots communities in Arakan State.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Sittwe residents held yesterday at U Ottama Hall in Sittwe.

According to the regime-controlled Ministry of Information, the meeting was attended by U Naing Oo, Arakan State Parliament Speaker Dr. San Shwe, members of the state government, and departmental officials.

The Arakan State government, appointed by Min Aung Hlaing, includes ministers overseeing security, economy, social affairs, transport, agriculture, natural resources, municipal affairs, and Chin ethnic affairs.

U Naing Oo also said the administration is prioritizing food security and continuing efforts to strengthen the education sector.

However, a Sittwe resident said locals are facing rising commodity prices, livelihood difficulties, and frequent arrests.

Out of Arakan State’s 17 townships, the Arakan Army controls 14, while the regime maintains administrative control over Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung.

Clashes between the regime and the Arakan Army continue in Sittwe Township, with frequent airstrikes reported.