Arakan Army seeks to collect taxes

The Arakan Army (AA), an armed separatist group in Rakhine State, has announced the formation of a taxation agency in its occupied territories. The new “Rakhine Peoples’ Authority”, as it is called, will collect funds for its political and mili
Myanmar govt orders internet shutdown in Rakhine and Chin amid escalated tensions

Christmas eve protests fight Rakhine internet blackout

A small crowd of ethnic Rakhine activists took to Yangon’s Mahabandoola Park on Christmas eve to demand an end to an internet blackout in parts of Rakhine State. The blackout has been in place in some degree since June, but critics say it has w
Aung San Suu Kyi

Bombs hit Rakhine town ahead of Daw Suu visit

Three small bombs were detonated in a Rakhine town on the day of a visit by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. No one was injured in the December 19th blasts, which went off in the town of Manaung, on an island south of Sittwe. However, the incid

Government adds to no-travel list

The Myanmar government has expanded its list of off-limits tourist destinations following the death of a German citizen in Shan State. Areas of Shan, Rakhine, Kachin, Chin, Sagaing and Yangon are on the updated no-travel list from the Ministry of Hot
(Photo by SAW TAR TOO / AFP)

Landmine kills German tourist in Shan State

A German man died in Shan State after driving a motorbike over a stray landmine. He was reportedly traveling outside Hsipaw, a popular trekking area, with an Argentinian woman when the incident occurred. “The man was driving a motorcycle on the vil

Hostages freed in Rakhine

The Arakan Army (AA) has freed hostages captured in two October raids. On 7th November, the group freed 25 hostages that had been taken from a passenger ferry. The next day it freed 18 hostages captured from a bus outside the city of Mrauk-U. Many of