In March 2026, Arakan’s economy faced intersecting pressures from global geopolitical shocks (Iran conflict), internal regulatory changes (AA licensing, NUG permits), and cross-border dynamics. Fuel prices skyrocketed unevenly—severe in junta-held Sittwe, more stable but rising in AA areas—, ...
Arakan’s economy under AA/ULA (United League of Arakan) showed resilience but faced collapse from conflict: paddy market failure caused farmer debts and reduced planting, met by ULA paddy purchases and fertilizer aid. Mizoram-Paletwa border trade halted briefly due to ...
n January 2026, Arakan saw intense fighting as the Arakan Army (AA/ULA) pressed offensives toward Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, capturing outposts, inflicting heavy junta casualties, and prompting soldier...
The 2025 elections in Myanmar were conducted amid ongoing armed conflicts, territorial fragmentation, and political suppression and repression, functioning primarily as a managed authoritarian process rather than ...
December 2025 saw continued intense conflict in Arakan, with the Arakan Army (AA) achieving substantial military advances against the Myanmar junta across multiple fronts, including heavy casualties inflicted on regime forces and, ...
In November 2025, it is reported that the Arakan Army crushed a major junta offensive in Kyaukphyu (1–9 Nov), routing all three assault columns. The regime responded with relentless airstrikes and artillery, killing 115–120 civilians...
Rakhine State in October 2025 saw escalating violence with ARSA executing ethnic civilians, mass junta surrenders to AA at Nat Yekan, and over 970 civilian deaths from military operations amid relentless airstrikes. AA seized strategic control while imposing governance measures and facing...
From September 1 to 30, 2025, Rakhine State faced intense conflict, with a junta airstrike killing 23 students in Kyauktaw on September 12–13. The Arakan Army (AA) forced ARSA and RSO militants to withdraw from...
Junta airstrikes and naval attacks in Kyaukphyu and Mrauk-U killed civilians, including 14 in Mrauk- U, displacing over 50,000 in Kyaukphyu by August 30. The Arakan Army (AA) clashed with junta forces, seized territories, and faced accusations of ...
n July 2025, fighting in Kyaukphyu intensified despite a ceasefire, with the Myanmar military launching airstrikes and ground assaults, resulting in civilian casualties and displacement. The Arakan Army (AA) made strategic territorial gains by ...
Airstrikes in Kyaukphyu: Junta drone strikes and airstrikes targeted Kyaukphyu, hitting Sane Cottage Hospital on March 10, destroying 20 homes in Kap Tha Pyay Village on March 11, and bombing Kyat Tin Village five times by March 14.
Over the past 16 years, the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has evolved from a marginal insurgent group of 26 fighters in KIA-held territory to a dominant force with over 50,000 troops and control over 90% of Rakhine State. This transformation marks one of the most significant insurgent ascents in contemporary Myanmar.
Rakhine State, historically known as Arakan has been a center of international and regional attention due to its strategic location with abundant natural resources ...
Just 20 months after a de facto ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA),...
In comparison between Cyclone Nargis and Mocha, the military regimes’ responses, and actions towards the cyclones’ management in short and long-term perspectives can be seen as not too different. Their own actions for emergency responses and rehabilitation processes remain insufficient in certain factors that lead the affected communities to be more harmful.
The Rakhine State in Myanmar offers immense potential for foreign direct investment (FDI) owing to its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and diverse opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, fishery, tourism, oil and gas, and services. In this context, it is essential to examine the major investments made by China and India in Rakhine State to understand their implications for the local stakeholders. China's Kyauk - Phyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Deep Seaport project aims to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca for transporting oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East.
Rakhine State, historically known as Arakan has been a center of international and regional attention due to its strategic location with abundant natural resources in addition to the images of well-noticed armed and communal violence in recent years. The two regional powers with the world’s first and second largest populations, namely China and India, have focused on the area for their strategic keynotes regarding regional and international trade, transportation, and communication.
Skirmish and Instability in Arakan Rise
This report is a part of the ‘Monthly Report’ series released by the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS). For the month of ‘September’, the CAS has developed this new report based on the four key sections such as ‘politics’, ‘economics’, ‘social issues’ and ‘humanitarian context’ mainly focusing on the state of affairs happening in Rakhine State (Arakan).
While the junta’s forces and Arakan Army (AA) are now in an informal truce, the news of the registration of the political parties in Rakhine have become more prominent in March. As the twoarmed parties are in a lack of trust toward each other, the reinforcements of the military force and silent confrontation become the affairs of politics. For example, neither the junta has a clear date for its sham election, nor the ULA has a decisive stand on election issues.
The Flooding, and Rise of Armed Groups’ Activities in Arakan Add Another Layer of Hardship
This report is a part of the monthly report series by the CAS. The report usually covers four key areas happening in the state of Rakhine. The first part covers the politics concerning the armed revolution, the junta activities and political freedom, etc. The second is about the economic situations of the state that correspond to issues like rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade, etc.
Political Tensions Among Different Parties in Arakan Grow
This report is a part of the monthly report series by the CAS. The report usually covers four key areas happening in the state of Rakhine. The first part covers the politics concerning the armed revolution, the junta activities and political freedom, etc. The second is about the economic situations of the state that correspond to issues like rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade, etc.
Cyclone Mocha’ “Politicization” And “Weaponization"
This report is a part of the ‘Monthly Report’ series released by the Center for Arakan Studies (CAS). For the month of ‘June’, the CAS has developed this new report based on the four key sections: politics, economics, social issues, and humanitarian context mainly focusing on the situation happening in Arakan.
Response to Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State
This report aims to provide an update and comprehensive information regarding the strike of Cyclone Mocha on the coast of Arakan on May 14, 2o23. But, as it is released as a part of the ‘Monthly Report’, the content of the work will only cover the cyclone-related information during the month of ‘May’.
In political sector, news related to elections, political freedom, SAC-junta activity, armed revolution, and ceasefire situations has been the most dominant on the local media agencies in the past four months from January to April in Rakhine. Election news includes the junta appointed-Union Election Committee (UEC) approval of political parties, removal of non-registered parties’ signboards, anti-election campaigns,...
