Junta artillery strikes imperil coastal livelihoods in Arakan State

By Admin 06 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

6 March 2026, Thandwe

Fisherfolk along the Arakan coast in areas under Arakan Army (AA) control report that their livelihoods are being severely disrupted by persistent heavy artillery fire from Myanmar’s military regime.

Local communities face extreme hardships as junta warships frequently shell and seize fishing boats at sea. These attacks have made it impossible for residents to maintain regular fishing activities, resulting in significant income losses.

"Myanmar Navy vessels fire at us whenever we venture offshore. We can only catch fish in deep waters, but since we can no longer go there, our small catches barely cover the cost of gasoline. With no steady work, everyone is struggling to survive," a male resident of Thandwe told DMG.

Fishing is the primary industry in the Thandwe region. Many residents have been forced to take informal odd jobs, such as woodcutting and charcoal burning, to make ends meet.

"Some still try to fish despite the danger. We have no other choice but to keep working, but opportunities here are very limited," another Thandwe local explained.

Once a hub for fishing, fish paste and dried fish production, and tourism services, Thandwe’s local economy has been largely paralyzed for nearly two years.

In Pauktaw and Rathedaung Townships, fishers report that artillery fire from military camps in Sittwe has intensified in recent days.

"Last month, a shell landed on an island near Donepyit Village. While there were no casualties, we are terrified. Now that the junta battalions in Sittwe are firing continuously and warships patrol the sea, we are too scared to go out and fish," said a fisherman from Angumaw Village in Rathedaung Township.

Residents from villages along the Mayu Riverbank, including Angumaw, Magyichaung, Kalachaung, Donepaik, Hsinpaik, and Aungbala, continue to risk their lives at sea, as they have no other means of survival.

After losing significant territory in Arakan State, the military regime has increased its naval presence. Since the start of 2026, at least 30 warships have been deployed from Hainggyi Island in the Ayeyarwady Region to patrol the Arakan coast.

Naval forces based at Hainggyi Island operate in southern Arakan, including Gwa, Thandwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu, as well as northern areas like Rathedaung, Maungdaw, and the Naf River mouth near the Bangladesh border. From these positions, they frequently launch artillery strikes on coastal villages.