Development Media Group - English Edition

Bridge damage along Myebon-Ann Road disrupts travel

DMG Newsroom

12 August 2026, Myebon

Damage along the Myebon-Ann Road is severely disrupting travel between southern and northern Arakan State and causing major delays to the movement of goods.

Travel along the Myebon-Ann Road has been severely affected by the collapse of two vital bridges and multiple landslides blocking the route.

Heavy rains during the first week of August triggered powerful mountain torrents that collapsed the bridges and caused landslides, local residents said.

"The Swaechaung Bridge and Minkhan Bridge both collapsed. Landslides have blocked the road between Laythun and Sanyin villages, as well as between Sanyin and Ingyin villages. The landslide between Tokechaung Village and Wetpaunggyi New Village is so severe that travellers have to carry their motorcycles across," a local man in Myebon said.

Motorcyclists navigating the damaged sections currently pay K5,000 for assistance carrying their bikes across blockages and up to K10,000 to cross rivers.

Along the Maei-Sanyintaung Road, landslides have blocked the route at least six locations, forcing residents to travel under hazardous conditions.

Local residents said damage along the Myebon-Ann Road and wider transport disruptions are slowing trade between southern and northern Arakan State while also creating serious difficulties for emergency medical access.

"Trade between the south and north, as well as travel for healthcare, will suffer immensely. With regular junta airstrikes in the south, patients needing to be transferred north cannot travel by road. A road journey would require three vehicle transfers. If only one bridge were damaged, it might still be possible, but with two bridges down, people must rely almost entirely on waterways," a local man in Taungup said.

With overland transport to southern Arakan State restricted, increased reliance on water transport has lengthened travel times and driven up local commodity prices.

Authorities from the United League of Arakan are using heavy machinery to clear landslide debris, but local residents said the damaged bridges have yet to be repaired.

Caption: Damaged bridges and landslide blockages along the Myebon-Ann Road. Photo: Supplied

Farmland in Arakan State left uncultivated for three consecutive years may be subject to fines or confiscation, according to the Central Land Management Committee under the United League of Arakan (ULA).

Read more: https://dmediag.com/news/fluft.html

Arakan National University, operating under the Arakan National Education Department, has opened applications for third-year and first-year honours programmes for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Read more: https://dmediag.com/news/anuli.html

ULA imposes nighttime curfew in Maungdaw District

DMG Newsroom

12 August 2026, Maungdaw

The United League of Arakan has imposed a nighttime curfew in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships in Arakan State, areas controlled by the Arakan Army, effective August 9, citing security threats posed by armed Muslim groups.

A statement issued by the Maungdaw District Administrative Department on August 11 said Muslim armed groups including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA) were attempting to incite unrest in Maungdaw District.

The statement said the groups had infiltrated Arakan State and carried out killings, kidnappings, ambushes and robberies against local residents, making the curfew necessary to protect public safety.

Residents of Buthidaung and Maungdaw are required to comply strictly with the order, with authorities warning that violations will result in legal action.

Residents who need to travel during curfew hours for essential reasons have been instructed to inform relevant administrative officials in advance and obtain permission before travelling.

The announcement said the curfew would remain in effect until it is officially revoked.

The statement said armed groups including ARSA, ARA and RSO had repeatedly carried out attacks, abductions and killings in Maungdaw District, raising concerns over security in the area.

Caption: An Arakan Army fighter on security duty in Buthidaung Township in 2025. Photo: DMG

Arakan Army releases 19 students, youths in Kyauktaw

DMG Newsroom

11 August 2026, Kyauktaw

Nineteen students and youths from Kyauktaw Town, Arakan State, who were detained on drug-related charges by the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) under the United League of Arakan (ULA), were released on August 11.

The group included 13 students under the age of 20. They were released on bail into the custody of their guardians during a ceremony held in Kyauktaw Township.

"I am grateful that they intervened to keep my son from going down the wrong path. We take full responsibility for ensuring this does not happen again. We will keep a very close watch on him," said Daw Nway Mar Htun, the mother of one of the students.

In June and July, DLEPS arrested 77 men and women in Kyauktaw, including 13 students, seven DLEPS members, as well as drug users and dealers.

The newly released students and youths were warned that if they are arrested again for drug-related offences, they will be required to serve sentences for their previous offences concurrently.

"We were detained by the Arakan Army intelligence unit and DLEPS because of drug use. Today is the day of our release. While in custody, they gave us time to reflect on our past actions. We reflected on and corrected those mistakes while being held for more than 30 days. I do not want our national spirit destroyed by drugs, nor do I want the future of our youth ruined. That is why I want the township DLEPS chief and intelligence officers to continue combating the remaining drug trade as quickly as possible," said Maung Zaw Zaw Aung, a released Grade 12 student.

Since clashes resumed in Arakan State in 2023, the education system has been severely disrupted, leaving many students and youths out of school and increasingly vulnerable to drug use.

Officials said the Arakan Army and DLEPS will continue strict enforcement and preventive measures to combat illegal drugs across Arakan State.

Caption: The ceremony held on August 11 to release the detained students and youths. Photo: DMG

The military junta, suffering heavy casualties in clashes near the Nat Yay Kan tactical hilltop base, the last remaining junta stronghold on the Arakan mountain range, has resorted to airstrikes on civilian-populated areas in an attempt to ease pressure from an Arakan Army counteroffensive.

Read more: https://www.dmediag.com/news/jtcaa.html

The Arakan Army released a detailed list of victims on Tuesday confirming that 25 civilians, including children, were killed or injured in a junta airstrike on Kyaukkyi Village in Thandwe Township.

Read more: https://www.dmediag.com/news/rtcce.html

While border trade continues between Arakan State and Bangladesh, high tax rates are posing significant challenges for ordinary merchants seeking to participate in cross-border trade.

Read more: https://www.dmediag.com/news/htwab.html

Facing heavy casualties on the intense battlefields of Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, the military regime has deployed hundreds of reinforcements in an effort to strengthen its positions, according to local sources.

Read more: https://www.dmediag.com/news/rrkfh.html