Junta troops closed all the shops in Mrauk-U Market in Rakhine State’s Mrauk-U Township for a landmine clearance operation at around 9:00 a.m. on 5 September. 

"We went to the market to check our stocks because we heard that junta troops had arrived in the market. So, we were worried about our shops. After a while, they told us to close our shops because they had to clear landmines in the market. All the shop owners in the market have moved their stock to their homes. We have only moved some items. We are moving the remaining items”, said a shopkeeper from Mrauk-U market.

Junta troops have been randomly firing artillery and small arms in Mrauk-U township since 3 September and Mrauk-U Market was reportedly also closed on 4 September due to the gunfire before being closed on 5 September for mine clearances.