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 detaining fishermen and targeting Rohingya.
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 capturing key outposts and supply routes, while both sides suffered heavy losses in ongoing clashes.
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.
The ongoing conflict in Arakan, known as Rakhine state, has intensified political tensions, with the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine, and generally in Myanmar, revolutionary forces asserting control over key areas while facing resistance from opposing factions.
In April 2025, Rakhine State faced escalating conflict as the Myanmar junta violated its 20-day truce with 409 attacks, including airstrikes in Kyaukphyu and the widespread destruction of civilian homes and a hospital in Sittwe. The Arakan Army (AA) consolidated its position by...
Junta 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.
In February, Arakan experienced an escalation of conflict, with the military junta intensifying airstrikes on Arakan Army (AA)–controlled areas and causing considerable destruction. The AA has continued to hold key strategic locations, including vital military sites. Attacks on civilians—
The relations between the ULA and NUG-led movements against the military regime have been an intense question to be explored in the post-coup Myanmar politics in 2021.
In January 2025, the SAC struggled in Rakhine, failing to conduct a full census and intensifying attacks, including deadly airstrikes in Kan Htaung Gyi, Ponnagyun, and Kyauk Ni Maw.
The battlefields in Arakan are now moving into the southern parts of today's Rakhine State, the southern tail areas of Arakan Roma, and other conjunction areas with Magway, Pago, and Ayeyarwaddy regions.
The armed clashes continued to intensify in Arakan during November 2024. The AA advanced in the Ann, Gwa, and Maungdaw warzones. On the other hand, the SAC continued its bombings over civilian areas under AA control, and SAC conscripts were also reported to be fleeing from the frontline.
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.
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More than a year since the military seized power in Myanmar, anti-coup resistance groups and,...
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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,...
