Weekly Highlights from Arakan (March 16 to 22, 2026)

By Admin 23 Mar 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.

ULA launches Arakan National University to expand higher education access

The Education Department under the United League of Arakan (ULA) has announced the establishment of Arakan National University to provide higher education opportunities for youths whose studies have been disrupted.

The university will offer fourth-year courses and fifth-year Law programmes, as well as Distance Education and Day classes for the 2026–2027 academic year. Applications are currently being accepted.

Applicants must have completed their third year (Distance or Day) in a relevant major at any university. For Law programmes, those who have completed their fourth year are eligible. Applicants must reside in Arakan State, and the course duration is one year.

For Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programmes, available subjects include Myanmar, English, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Oriental Studies, Law, Economics, and International Relations/Political Science, among other humanities and social science disciplines.

For Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programmes, subjects include Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Botany, and Geology, as well as other science disciplines. Upon completion, degrees such as B.A., B.Sc., B.A.(Q), B.Sc.(Q), and LL.B. will be awarded.

Applications can be submitted to Township Education Offices with the required documents before the April 21 deadline.

Despite these challenges, young people say the new initiative offers renewed hope.

Toddler raped and murdered in Maungdaw; four suspects detained

A two-year-old girl was reportedly raped and murdered in Aung Thukha Village, southern Maungdaw Township, an area under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), on March 16. Authorities have since detained a 13-year-old boy and three other suspects in connection with the crime.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 PM while the victim’s mother was away foraging for clams near the coast. The teenage suspect, a fellow villager, allegedly lured the child to his home where the assault and killing took place.

Witnesses and family associates allege an attempt was made to conceal the crime. Sources claim the perpetrator’s mother initially buried the toddler’s body inside their home but later exhumed and discarded it outside the village as the community-wide search intensified.

Medical examiners from the Arakan Army confirmed signs of extreme physical trauma and sexual assault.

The primary suspect and three others are currently being interrogated by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Safety (DLEPS).

As cases of sexual violence rise in AA-controlled areas, the public is calling on the United Arakan League/Arakan Army (UAL/AA) judicial department to ensure swift and transparent justice for the victims.

Arakan Army releases POWs and family members from Kyauktaw detention site

The Arakan Army (AA) announced on March 20 that it has released prisoners of war (POWs) and their family members captured during fighting in Arakan State, citing humanitarian grounds.

The released individuals were held at the Chaungtu detention site in Kyauktaw Township.

Those freed expressed gratitude to the Arakan Army for providing healthcare and essential support during their detention.

The Chaungtu detention site had previously been targeted by military regime airstrikes. On January 20, the facility was hit in an aerial attack while detainees were being held there.

The Arakan Army has seized 14 townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State. While it has captured large numbers of POWs and their family members during the conflict, the group has been releasing detainees in phases on humanitarian grounds.

Sources said military airstrikes have also targeted locations where POWs were being held or prepared for release, resulting in casualties among detainees.

Kyaukphyu IDPs face acute drinking water shortages amid dry season

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, are facing acute shortages of drinking water as the summer season intensifies, according to displaced residents.

The IDPs, who fled fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army (AA), said their shelters are located about two miles from the nearest functioning wells and ponds, forcing them to travel long distances under difficult conditions to collect water.

Residents warned that the situation could worsen significantly if existing water sources dry up.

The IDP site currently shelters more than 130 households and over 500 people from Hsinbote, Kyungyi, Sabahtar and Mawgyi Villages.

Social aid groups began drilling wells in January to address the shortage. However, due to the growing number of displaced people and the onset of the dry season, many of these sources are now drying up.

IDPs expressed concern over potential health risks, including skin diseases and diarrhea, due to the lack of access to clean water.

In addition to water shortages, IDPs are facing a lack of secure shelter, food shortages and ongoing health problems.

Families with adolescent daughters also raised concerns about safety and privacy due to inadequate housing and a lack of proper latrines.

Despite the hardships, many displaced families say they are unable to relocate due to ongoing livelihood challenges.

Similarly, IDPs in Ponnagyun Township in northern Arakan State are also facing severe water shortages and are calling for urgent assistance.

USDP lawmaker elected Arakan State Hluttaw speaker

The first regular session of the Arakan State Hluttaw commenced on March 20 in Sittwe, where a Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker was elected as Speaker.

Dr. San Shwe, chairman of the USDP in Arakan State, was elected as Speaker of the Arakan State Hluttaw after being the sole nominee for the position.

Dr. Htin Linn Oo was appointed as Deputy Speaker during the parliamentary session.

Dr. San Shwe was elected to the state parliament representing Sittwe Constituency No. 2, while Dr. Htin Linn Oo represents Myebon Constituency No. 2, both under the USDP.

U Naing Oo, a USDP representative from Sittwe Constituency No. 1, served as the Pro-tem Speaker for the opening session.

A total of 28 members attended the session, including 21 elected representatives and seven military appointees.

IDP man loses leg in landmine blast in Thandwe Twsp

An internally displaced person (IDP) in Thandwe Township, Arakan State, lost his left leg after stepping on a landmine while collecting firewood, according to local sources.

U Kyaw Min Tun sustained the injury on the morning of March 18 while foraging in the hills for firewood to support his family. The blast resulted in the amputation of his left leg.

Originally from Maung Shwe Lay Village, he had been sheltering in Mawyone Village with his family after being displaced by conflict. The injury is expected to have a severe impact on his family’s livelihood.

The incident follows a similar case on February 16, when another man from Kyaukkalat Village in Thandwe Township also lost a leg in a landmine explosion.

In a separate incident on March 9, an unexploded ordnance (UXO) blast in Kyichaing Village, Gwa Township, killed one child and injured two others.

With limited access to humanitarian assistance, many IDPs in Arakan State rely on daily wage work and foraging, including collecting firewood and vegetables, to meet basic needs.

However, these survival activities expose them to the ongoing threat of landmines and unexploded remnants of war, worsening the socio-economic conditions of affected families.

According to data compiled by DMG, at least 114 people have been killed or injured by landmines and unexploded remnants of war in Arakan State between January 2025 and March 2026.