The junta arrested 45 civilians, including juveniles, in four townships in northern Rakhine State between 23 and 27 June, according to an Arakan Army (AA) announcement made on 27 June.

The detainees are from Sittwe, Ponna Kyun, Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships in Rakhine State, where there have been raised tensions between the junta and the AA.

The detained juveniles were two 15-year-olds from Sittwe Township, a 15-year-old from Mrauk-U township and two 17-year-olds, one each from Kyauktaw and Ponna Kyun townships.

The arrests followed the AA's arrest of a junta army captain from Dhanyawadi Naval Base in Sittwe on 23 June. Later that day, in the evening, junta troops retaliated by opening fire and arresting 21 civilians in Sittwe Township.

An AA spokesperson, Khaing Thukha, said that the AA has been arresting junta soldiers because the junta has been raiding the houses of AA and United League of Arakan (ULA - the political wing of the AA) members and arresting them.

But apparently, the situation has improved recently. A Mrauk-U resident said: “Now the situation is back to normal. Markets and schools have become crowded as usual. There are no more Junta’s checkpoints at the intersections.”