The Military Council is actively replenishing manpower,stockpiling weapons and ammunition,and intensifying military operations,causing residents fearing fresh hostilities, to flee Rakhine State.

A woman residing in Pyeintaw village in Rathedaung Townshipexpressed her increased anxiety over the possible resumption of warfare.

She told Narinjara, "Junta soldiers are frequentlyspotted in Angumaw lately. Of course we are scared. We worry about the returnof more fighting, something that has already affected our lives significantly.Now we are contemplating finding a safe haven in case we need to escape, as wefear the potential for renewed conflict”.

Locals have observed an increasing number of Navy vesselsbelonging to the Military Council in recent days, sailing along the KaladanRiver, moving from Sittwe to Ratheduang.

A local resident expressed that, given the apprehensionsurrounding the Military Council's activities, some individuals residing inrural areas are contemplating relocating to safer urban areas as a precautionagainst the possibility of renewed conflict.

"As far as I know, almost everyone in Yokethar villagehas already left. People from other villages are also making plans to evacuatein anticipation , reaching out to contacts in towns. It's better to actproactively before things get worse”, he suggested.

In Kyauktaw Township, starting from November, the MilitaryCouncil's food convoys have become more active, and residents report observingvessels carrying food along the waterway as well.

Meanwhile in Rathedaung, local sources informed Narinjara thatthe Arakan Army (AA) has advised residents to prepare in advance by diggingbomb shelter pits.

"AA is warning that households failing to dig bombshelter pits, will face fines. It makes sense that they are pushing formandatory pit digging, as not doing so could lead to life-threateningsituations down the line. However, they should also consider that some peoplemay not be able to afford the fines”, a local said.

In northern Shan State, the Three Brotherhood Alliance,including AA, has initiated a potent and forceful offensive named 'Operation1027' against the Military Council. As a result local residents are concernedthat the relatively calm situation between AA and the Military Council inRakhine State may once again escalate into fierce clashes.

"In Munaung, it's clear that the Military Council isattempting to gather information from people moving in and out of the town.Theyhave also intensified surveillance and monitoring, not only of activists, butof regular civilians as well”, a Munaung resident noted.

In Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung,Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Munaung townships in Rakhine State, there has been anotable surge in the Military Council's operational activities in recent times,and local sources report that activists are facing heightened surveillance andmonitoring.

In August 2022, fierce clashes between the AA and the MilitaryCouncil resumed in Rakhine State. Nevertheless, an informal ceasefire agreementwas established on November 26th, 2022, and up till now the ceasefire is stillin effect. Based on information gathered by Narinjara, 46 civilians lost theirlives, while 89 were injured, and 9 houses were destroyed by arson attacks inRakhine State during the four-month period of fighting between AA and theMilitary Council from August to November 2022.