Monthly Report • March 9th 2025 • Center for Arakan Studies

# Monthly Report | February 2025

Photo Credit- APM via Western News

# February in Focus:Arakan’s Conflict and Crops

Monitoring of a brief situation of political tension, economic issues, social issues, and humanitarian issues in Western Myanmar in February 2025.

### 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 Remarks

- In February, Arakan experienced an escalation of conflict, with the military junta intensifying airstrikes on Arakan Army (AA)–controlled areas and causing considerable destruction. The AA has continued to hold key strategic locations, including vital military sites. Attacks on civilians— through bombings and landmine incidents—have resulted in numerous casualties and significant displacement.

- Recent developments in Arakan have had major economic and agricultural impacts. Disruptions to Myanmar-Bangladesh maritime trade, caused by AA inspections of cargo ships, have halted sea trade and affected local businesses and international routes. In response to the conflict, many farmers have turned to winter-crop cultivation, while others prepare for the mountain-crop season, despite challenges such as declining paddy prices and restrictions on fuel shipments. Additionally, the AA has supported local agriculture by returning land previously seized by the military, reflecting its efforts to stabilize areas under its control.

- Arakan is facing deepening humanitarian challenges, including water shortages, disease outbreaks, and medication scarcity, which particularly affect children and people with mental health issues. In Paletwa, a lack of medicine has led to deaths, while residents of Sittwe remain trapped by the junta’s military restrictions. These conditions highlight the growing impact of ongoing conflict and resource scarcity in the region.

- The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar is worsening, with nearly 570,000 displaced people in Rakhine State requiring aid. Funding cuts—including the suspension of $39 million in U.S. aid— have exacerbated the situation, and in Sittwe, Muslim refugees have gone without food assistance for almost two months. In Maungdaw, residents are hesitant to return because of landmines and the risk of airstrikes, while Bangladesh is pressuring for refugee repatriation. Displaced Rakhine individuals in the Ayeyarwady Region receive minimal support, underscoring severe resource shortages and continuing displacement.

### Table of Content

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

### Part- I: Political Affairs

Escalating Attacks and Airstrikes: The Myanmar junta launched airstrikes in key areas, including Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Maungdaw, and Gwa, significantly impacting local populations. For instance, on February 8, 2025, airstrikes on AA-controlled areas in Gwa and Rathedaung resulted in one fatality and several injuries. Similarly, on February 26, 2025, airstrikes in Wah Bo village of Sittwe destroyed ten houses.

AA Offensive and Territorial Gains: The Arakan Army (AA) has carried out multiple assaults, seizing important military positions such as Goke See Tower on February 3, 2025, and launching synchronized attacks on junta bases in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. Notably, on February 24, 2025, AA forces attacked the Dhanyawadi Naval Base and the 32nd Police Battalion in Kyaukphyu.

Humanitarian Impact and Civilian Casualties: The ongoing conflict has inflicted significant suffering on civilians. On February 12, 2025, the AA removed more than 30 landmines in Muslim majority villages in Maungdaw, highlighting the human toll of the fighting. Additionally, on February 21, 2025, deadly bombings in Pauktaw Township killed four people, including two children, and injured others. Explosive remnants of war and ongoing clashes have caused numerous casualties across Maungdaw, Pauktaw, and Gwa.

General Information: From February 1 to March 1, 2025, the situation in Myanmar—particularly in Rakhine State and surrounding areas—worsened due to escalating conflict between the Myanmar military junta and the Arakan Army (AA). The junta intensified its air-strike campaigns on AA-controlled areas, notably in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Maungdaw, leaving significant destruction in their wake. Conversely, the AA continued to assert control over key regions, including strategic military sites such as Goke See Tower and Dhanyawadi Naval Base. Throughout

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