The Arakan Army (AA) issued a statement on December 10 urging the Rakhine people to remain vigilant as the situation in Rakhine State could escalate into fighting at any time.

The AA issued the military warning to the local Rakhine people more than a year after the ceasefire in Rakhine State. AA said in a statement that government troops come and go to the villages in the area, conduct a series of military patrols and troop transfers to control the territory for various reasons.

In addition, the statement said that military troops stay in monasteries at night and the ban on basic food transport by locals has led to food shortages and increased tensions on both sides.

AA also warned the potential visitors to the historic Sandaw Shin Pagoda Festival in Pauktaw Township, which will begin on December 13, to take careful consideration, as the junta’s troops have been stationed along the road leading to the area.

In early November, two clashes broke out between AA and the junta’s troops in Maungdaw Township.

In the past, fighting between the AA and the junta’s troops had intensified in Rakhine State, for almost two years since December 2018, and ceased fighting in early November 2020.

In June this year, the junta dropped charges against detained relatives of Arakan Army chief Tun Mrat Naing.

The fighting led to more than 200,000 people being displaced, most of whom have yet to return.