Monthly Report • May 23rd 2024 • Center for Arakan Studies

# Monthly Report | April 2024

Photo/Credit-BNI

# Crisis in Arakan: A Look at April’s Challenges

Monitoring of a brief situation of political tension, economic issues, social issues, and humanitarian issues in Arakan in April 2024

### About report

This report is part of the CAS's monthly series, which delves into four key areas of the state of Arakan. The first section addresses political concerns, including the armed revolution, junta activities, and issues of political freedom. The second examines the state's economic climate, focusing on rising prices, declining demand, foreign direct investment, and border trade. The third and fourth sections cover social and humanitarian issues, respectively; these include education, health, migration, and the internally displaced persons (IDP) population.

Key data in the report are sourced from local media outlets, such as DMG, Western News, among others. The aim of this report is to shed new light on the situation for observers endeavoring to comprehend the dynamics at play in the region.

### Key Remarks

- April marked the fifth month of resumed armed clashes in Arakan. While at least nine towns in central Arakan have been captured by the AA forces, the latter’s offensives intensified in the two northernmost townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung, Ann township of central Arakan, and Thandwe township of Southern Arakan. On another front, the junta authorities continued the forced recruitment of Rohingya Muslim residents, especially in the northern townships like Buthiduang and Maungdaw, and many observers warned of the risk of instigating communal violence.

- Economic disaster continued during the month of April. In many cases, the junta authorities raided and seized the medical and essential rice supplies of the local civilian population. Next, the prices of local commodities were skyrocketing while the scarcity of goods and services increased. India halted what little trade regulation across the border with Arakan.

- The largest religious and social festival called ‘Thungurn’ ended in silence amidst the ongoing armed conflicts in Arakan. Meanwhile, social crimes increased in the junta-held urban areas, especially in big cities like Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. In many cases, civilians who escaped from the town faced incidents of having their things stolen from their houses. Rising temperatures bring health issues for the elderly and young children.

- Humanitarian demand in the region rises, whereas the supply is declining. Humanitarian actors continue to face challenges in operational context due to both security-political and technical factors. Rising temperatures produce the problem of water shortage, and many families are also now facing a hunger crisis, leading to a reduction in rice consumption. On another front, medicine and life-saving materials are insufficient, resulting in existential threats for patients who need serious medical operations.

### Table of Content

- Part- I: Political Affairs
- Part- II: Economic Situations
- Part- III: Social Issues
- Part- IV: Humanitarian Issues

### Part- I: Political Affairs

Arakan politics during April were primarily dominated by news related to armed conflicts, including casualties, surrenders, atrocities, displacements, inspections, military exercises, reinforcement, recruitment, and propaganda from the junta council (SAC authority). Additionally, there were inspections, landmine clearance operations, seizures, warnings, and public relations activities from the ULA/AA, along with intense armed clashes between the two-armed parties. Unprecedentedly, the ULA’s response to the UN Human Rights Chief’s statement was well-reported on local media platforms.

Beginning with the armed clashes between the two sides, the Arakan Army launched assaults on military camps in Ann Township on April 3, 2024. A resident said to the Narinjara news, “Civilian casualties were reported due to artillery shells fired by the junta troops stationed on Tawhein mountain. The regime soldiers fire heavy weapons whenever they clash with the AA. Local people are also afraid of losing their lives.”

On the same day, AA also continued its onslaught against junta battalions in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships. One week later, on April 10, it was reported that the three artillery shells fired by AA fighters exploded in the western command base in Ann. On that day, marking the 15th anniversary of its founding, the AA chief also vowed to take full control of Arakan State

On April 13, the AA clashed with the military in Thandwe township. Three days later, Military-AA clashes were also reported on the Minbu-Magway road in the Magway region. As of April 24, the spokesperson of the AA committed to protecting civilians of Buthidaung regardless of their race or religion. Two days later, it was also reported that armed clashes broke out near a hydropower project in Thandwe township. On April 27, the AA attempted to seize Buthidaung-based No. 15 Military Operations Command.

Regarding the junta activities, on April 1, they stepped up the conscription drive in Manaung of southern Arakan. Five days later, the Maungdaw District administrator and some departmental staff deserted. As of April 8, the junta threatened to stop international aid if Sittwe Muslim villagers refused military recruitment. On April 11, the junta recruited over 1,000 Muslims in Sittwe and summoned 1,000 more.

Read More

download to PDF for read more

Share

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

© Center for Arakan Studies [CAS].

The CAS is an independent, non-partisan and research-oriented group conducting research and analyzing issues related to Arakan/Rakhine affairs.

Learn More

Monthly Report • September 17th 2023

## Monthly Report | August 2023

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • August 17th 2023

## Monthly Report | July 2023

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • June 16th 2023

## Monthly Report | May 2023

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’.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Issue Brief • June 15th 2023

## The Investments of China and India in Rakhine State: The Perspectives of Rakhine Stakeholders on Ground in Post-Coup Myanmar

Rakhine State is an attractive location for foreign direct investment (FDI) due to several compelling factors. Firstly, its strategic position along the Bay of Bengal makes it a geostrategic hub for business ventures. Additionally, the region is endowed with abundant natural resources, breathtaking beaches, and fascinating cultural and historical sites, which make it a prime destination for investment in tourism, mining, and other related industries.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Issue Brief • April 14th 2023

## Footsteps of China and India on Arakan in Post-Coup Myanmar

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • April 7th 2023

## Monthly Report | March 2023

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • March 6th 2023

## Monthly Report | Febuary 2023

In February 2023, both tensions and relaxation could be seen in politics in Rakhine State. Tensions between the Arakan Army, and junta forces happened due after the junta forces' reinforcement such as military types of equipment, patrol and...

### Center for Arakan Studies

Issue Brief • June 15th 2023

## The Investments of China and India in Rakhine State: The Perspectives of Rakhine Stakeholders on Ground in Post-Coup Myanmar

Rakhine State is an attractive location for foreign direct investment (FDI) due to several compelling factors. Firstly, its strategic position along the Bay of Bengal makes it a geostrategic hub for business ventures. Additionally, the region is endowed with abundant natural resources, breathtaking beaches, and fascinating cultural and historical sites, which make it a prime destination for investment in tourism, mining, and other related industries.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Isue Brief • April 14th 2023

## Footsteps of China and India on Arakan in Post-Coup Myanmar

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,...

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • August 17th 2023

## Monthly Report | July 2023

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • June 16th 2023

## Monthly Report | May 2023

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’.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • April 7th 2023

## Monthly Report | March 2023

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.

### Center for Arakan Studies

Monthly Report • March 6th 2023

## Monthly Report | Febuary 2023

In February 2023, both tensions and relaxation could be seen in politics in Rakhine State. Tensions between the Arakan Army, and junta forces happened due after the junta forces' reinforcement such as military types of equipment, patrol and,...

### Center for Arakan Studies

Special Report • March 6th 2023

## Arakan Review: Return To War

Just 20 months after a de facto ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), a series of armed clashes resumed in three locations in northern Rakhine,...

### Center for Arakan Studies

### Tags

- Home
- Issue Brief
- Briefing
- Monthly Report
- Special Report
- Article