Weekly Highlights of Arakan (17-23 November 2025)

By Admin 25 Nov 2025

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.

Thousands displaced by fighting in Kyaukphyu

Escalating clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in Kyaukphyu Township have forced 2,084 residents from 17 villages to flee their homes, according to Triple-T, an organisation assisting internally displaced people (IDPs).

Junta troops have advanced into Thaungchaung, Gawtu and Yaynantaung villages since early November, prompting residents of 17 nearby villages - including Chaungphyar, Chaungwa and Chaungmyaung - to seek refuge in the Hsinbote, Sabahtar and Minyat areas.

Those displaced are in urgent need of shelter, food, drinking water and medical assistance, according to Triple-T.

The IDP population includes newborns and pregnant women, who require baby supplies such as milk powder, diapers, medicine and nutritional supplements. Women are also in need of menstrual products.

Following the outbreak of fighting in Kyaukphyu Township, the military regime has increased its use of surface attacks, artillery, airstrikes and drones, leaving local residents in a state of heightened fear.

Fighting is ongoing near Yaynantaung, Minpyin and Chaungphyar villages, with the military regime advancing using large ground forces and air support.

Clashes in Kyaukphyu have been ongoing since late February, displacing 23,710 people, according to Triple-T.

55 Bangladeshi fishermen detained for illegal fishing in Arakan waters

The Arakan Coast Guard (ACG) has detained 55 Bangladeshi fishermen for illegally entering Arakan waters over a two-week period from 5 to 18 November.

The ACG seized a boat carrying six Bangladeshi fishermen near Thawinchaung Village in Maungdaw Township on the morning of 18 November.

Another boat carrying 10 Bangladeshi nationals was intercepted near Cheinkharli and Donepaik villages in Rathedaung Township the same day.

The Arakan Army continues to inspect detained fishermen before formally transferring them to Bangladeshi authorities.

Four civilians killed, eight injured in junta airstrikes on AA-held areas

Four civilians, including a child, were killed and eight others injured as the Myanmar military carried out airstrikes on AA-controlled areas in Ponnagyun, Kyaukphyu, Gwa and Mrauk-U townships from 16-22 November, according to a DMG tally.

A junta airstrike on Ward 1 in Kyeintali, Gwa Township, on 21 November killed 7-year-old Maung Chan Pho Thet and injured an elderly woman and two men.

On 20 November, two bombs dropped near Baungdut Village in Mrauk-U Township killed two cows.

Airstrikes on Taungoo and Ale Ywathit villages in Kyaukphyu Township on 17 November killed three women, including a 16-year-old girl, and injured two 15-year-old girls and three men. The AA said two schools and a civilian home were also damaged.

The military has repeatedly targeted schools, monasteries and civilian homes, none of which are military installations, resulting in the deaths of young students.

Customary international humanitarian law requires all armed organisations to protect civilians and prohibits attacks on civilians, abductions, the use of human shields and the targeting of civilian dwellings.

According to DMG data, at least 75 people, including children, were killed in Arakan State in November due to the regime's use of various weapons.

Maungdaw man loses leg in landmine blast

A Muslim man from Nganchaung Mrauk Village in Maungdaw Township was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine on 17 November, losing one of his legs.

U Abullah Chein, 55, was herding buffaloes east of Kywetama Village when he triggered the landmine. He lost his left leg in the blast and is receiving emergency medical treatment.

Local residents accused Muslim armed groups of laying the landmine.

Landmines continue to pose a serious threat to communities in Arakan State, particularly those who rely on farming and forest-based livelihoods.

Rathedaung residents flee to avoid junta airstrikes

Locals in Rathedaung Township are reportedly moving to temporary shelters to avoid airstrikes by Myanmar's military regime.

The AA announced that five locals were killed and six others injured in an airstrike on Barhtalay and Ngwartingote villages in Rathedaung Township on 15 November.

Residents of nearby villages hit by airstrikes - including Tunyawai, Barhtalay, Sankar, Nyaungbinhla, Aleywa, Sabahtar, Ngwartingote and Kyeintha - are fleeing in fear.

On 8 November, the military regime bombed Kyaukthanchay Village in Ponnagyun Township, near Kyeintha Village in Rathedaung, killing two locals and injuring four others.

Frequent airstrikes on townships controlled by the AA have led to rising civilian casualties, including children, and residents living in fear.

Villagers from Tunyawai have not dared to return home, instead staying with relatives or sheltering on roadsides, in gardens and plantations in nearby communities.

The military regime is intensifying artillery and airstrikes in Arakan State, and civilian casualties continue to rise.

Mro IDPs in northern Maungdaw urgently need aid following ARSA threats

Ethnic Mro people in northern Maungdaw Township who fled their homes due to threats posed by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) are facing shortages of food and shelter and are in urgent need of assistance.

About 1,500 residents from nine villages - including Donenyo, Ahtet Innchaung, Aut Innchaung, Ngatet and Byarywe - have been displaced by border clashes and ARSA threats.

They are sheltering in Kyeinchaung, Khwasone and Gyutchaung in Maungdaw Township, and in Ahet Bokalay and Aut Bokalay villages in Buthidaung Township.

Mro IDPs say they are struggling to earn a living due to insecurity, including ARSA threats and landmine risks.

Most Mro residents rely on hunting, fishing, bamboo cutting and small-scale farming in the forests and mountains near their villages. Those who fled said they could not bring their stored rice or household goods, leaving their food situation increasingly precarious.

The ARSA threat and the danger of landmines continue to pose risks for residents who depend on forest-based livelihoods in the Maungdaw region.