Weekly Highlights from Arakan (June 29 to July 5, 2026)

By Admin 06 Jul 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 airstrikes kill five, injure six near Bangladesh border townships in Arakan State

At least five civilians were killed and six others injured as Myanmar’s military regime intensified airstrikes on Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships along the Bangladesh border in Arakan State, according to data collected by DMG.

Since the beginning of July, the regime has carried out daily aerial attacks using fleets of aircraft on villages, prisoner-of-war detention camps, and former military installations across the two townships, which are under Arakan Army control.

DMG data shows that a total of 11 people have been killed and injured combined in the latest wave of attacks, including civilians and prisoners of war.

Residents said repeated airstrikes have caused severe psychological distress among local communities.

The regime has been widely accused of targeting civilian areas, villages, and detention sites as it loses ground on multiple fronts across the country.

Arakan Army forces reportedly captured Buthidaung Township on May 18, 2024, and Maungdaw Town on December 8, 2024, consolidating control over the Myanmar–Bangladesh border region.

According to the Arakan Army’s Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO), at least 83 people were killed, 187 injured, and 65 arrested in Arakan State due to regime air and artillery attacks between January and June 2026.

Kyauktaw grocery vendor wins K50 million Arakan lottery prize, expresses relief amid hardship

A 39-year-old woman from Kyauktaw Town, Daw Than Yee, has won the first prize of K50 million in the Arakan Laungpaw (Arakan Lottery), which was launched for the first time by the Lottery Branch of the Revenue Department under the United League of Arakan (ULA).

She told DMG that she was extremely happy to win the prize during a period of severe economic hardship.

She added that she plans to donate part of the winnings before using the remainder as business capital, and encouraged others to try their luck in future rounds.

Her husband, U Ko Aye Lwin, also expressed gratitude for the launch of the Arakan lottery, saying it provided hope during difficult times.

The Arakan Army announced the winning numbers of the Arakan lottery on July 1. The first prize of K50 million was ticket number 323692, the second prize of K30 million was ticket number 116482, and the third prize of K20 million was ticket number 079645.

The Arakan Army said it controls up to 90 percent of Arakan State and has established the United League of Arakan (ULA), operating administrative, judicial, education, healthcare, municipal, and revenue functions.

It also stated that 50 percent of net profit from the lottery will be allocated to public service sectors including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Regime claims Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port Project to proceed despite conflict

Junta-appointed Vice-President Nyo Saw has stated that the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port Project in Arakan State must be completed within the designated timeframe, despite ongoing intense armed conflict in the region.

He made the remarks at a coordination meeting of the Central Committee on Myanmar Special Economic Zones held in Nay Pyi Taw on July 3.

During the meeting, Nyo Saw said that implementation of ongoing special economic zones, including the Kyaukphyu and Dawei SEZ projects and deep-sea port developments, must follow scheduled timelines.

He added that the projects are important for job creation, boosting exports, attracting foreign investment, and increasing national foreign income.

Fighting continues in Kyaukphyu Township between regime forces and the Arakan Army near areas surrounding the Taung Maw Gyi naval station and other sites linked to Chinese-backed projects.

During his recent visit to China, Min Aung Hlaing reportedly pledged to advance the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port Project, while a China–Myanmar joint statement issued on June 17 said the project would begin as soon as possible.

Analysts, including ISP-Myanmar, have suggested that renewed security guarantees linked to foreign investment projects may lead to intensified military operations in related areas.

Kyaukphyu ferry owner, 13 passengers charged over alleged links to Arakan Army

A ferry owner and 13 passengers detained by Myanmar's military regime on the Thanzit River in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, have been charged over alleged links to the Arakan Army (AA) and the transportation of illegal goods, according to local sources.

On June 8, a ferry carrying goods from Minbya Township to Ramree Township was intercepted by a junta warship near the confluence of the Thanzit River in Kyaukphyu Township and Minchaung Creek in Ramree Township.

The military alleged that the food supplies aboard the vessel were intended for the Arakan Army and subsequently charged those on board with alleged association with the Arakan Army and illegal transportation of goods.

The accused are U Shwe Khe, U Sein Win Maung, Daw Kyi Kyi Khin, Daw Mi Mi, Daw Win Win Shwe, Daw Tin May Than, Maung Zaw Min Aung, U Ko Ko Aung, Ko Nay Myo Thein, Daw Myint Myint Khin, Daw Mya Mya Kyaw, U Khin Zaw Oo, Daw Chaw Su Ma, and U Than Win Lwin, comprising seven women and seven men.

The detainees are from Ramree, Kyaukphyu, Taungup and Myebon townships. Some are traders transporting food and consumer goods for sale in their respective townships.

DMG is continuing to verify the specific legal provisions under which the ferry owner and the 13 passengers have been charged.

Since fighting resumed in Arakan State, the regime has imposed extensive restrictions on transport and movement under its so-called four cuts strategy, creating widespread humanitarian and economic hardship.

As the Arakan Army has expanded its territorial control across much of Arakan State, the regime has increased naval deployments along waterways, further restricting river transport and threatening civilian travel.

Starlink services in Arakan State inoperable as users report sudden shutdowns

Starlink satellite internet services used across Myanmar, including Arakan State, have become inoperable in several areas after devices were reportedly blocked, raising concern among users.

Since June 2, multiple Starlink devices in Arakan State, including those with successfully registered accounts, have reportedly been marked “Region Restricted” and subsequently shut down.

Reports suggest that devices are more likely to be disabled if user activity indicates access from an unauthorized country or region.

In May, Starlink introduced a new policy requiring facial verification of device owners, which has added further concern among users in Myanmar.

Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has reportedly sent warning notices stating that use in unauthorized regions is prohibited and advising users to relocate devices to approved countries.

Starlink is officially authorized in Southeast Asia only in the Philippines, and in Asia only in Japan, while Myanmar does not have official approval.

However, in Arakan State, where mobile phone and internet services remain cut off, the technical department under the United League of Arakan has reportedly allowed the rental and use of Starlink devices for communication since late 2025.

Users are required to pay a one-year licensing fee of K3 million, in addition to other taxes, to operate the service.

Since 2023, internet and mobile phone lines in Arakan State have been severely disrupted due to ongoing fighting, significantly affecting social and economic life.

Residents now fear that further shutdowns of Starlink devices could deepen communication isolation across the state.

ICRC restores family links for civilians trapped by Sittwe communication blackout

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has launched an emergency messaging network to reconnect displaced people and relatives separated by a communication blackout in Sittwe, humanitarian officials said Wednesday.

The ICRC is using Red Cross Messages, a short text-based communication system, to help families maintain contact amid severe telecommunications disruptions across Arakan State.

According to ICRC records, field teams delivered 229 family messages during 2026, providing a communication channel for communities affected by prolonged connectivity disruptions.

Direct communication between civilians trapped inside Sittwe and relatives who have moved to areas under the control of the Arakan Army remains unavailable due to the collapse of mobile and internet services.

The communication shutdown has prevented families from checking on relatives’ safety, increasing concerns during periods of heightened insecurity.

The ICRC said restoring family links, tracing missing people, and helping separated relatives reconnect remain central parts of its humanitarian work.

Sittwe remains under strict restrictions, with junta forces controlling major land and sea routes into and out of the city.

Local sources said hundreds of civilians seeking to leave for mainland Myanmar remain trapped due to high travel costs, poverty, and rising inflation.