Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 1 November 2024

The resurgence of clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and military forces in Arakan State since November 13, 2023, has forced many areas to depend on KBZPay and WaveMoney for financial transactions due to bank closures.

However, these mobile payment services are now facing major hurdles because of widespread phone and internet blackouts.

The military's cutting of phone and internet connections across Arakan State, affecting both AA-controlled and military-held areas, has severely impacted mobile money transfer services.

Local sources have informed Rakhine News Network that in military-controlled towns such as Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Manaung, Taungup, and Gwa, money transfers have become extremely challenging due to ongoing communication disruptions.

A woman from Ann Town, where fighting continues, said, "Even with help from outside, we can't access our money without internet. This makes daily life very hard. We're really worried."

The AA has launched a major offensive against the Western Command to take Ann Town, resulting in the shutdown of banks and all government offices.

A man from Sane Town in Kyaukphyu District shared, "Since October, rural areas have had no internet at all. Phone lines work only sometimes. I left my home due to fighting and have no job. I rely on money from my children abroad, but now I can't withdraw anything without the internet."

Previously, KBZPay transfers in the area incurred fees exceeding 10,000 kyats for every 100,000 kyats sent.

Even in Manaung Town, where no fighting has occurred and the military still governs, the internet has been down for over a month. This has created major problems for residents, including those at the grassroots level, who can't send or receive money.

"The lack of money transfers and withdrawals is making our lives harder," explained a Manaung Town resident. "Many families here rely on money sent by their children working elsewhere in Arakan State. With no jobs and high prices, we depend on these remittances. Now that we can't access our money, everyone's struggling."

In Arakan State, phone services in AA-held Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Minbya were briefly restored on October 18 but cut off again a week later.

Of Arakan State's 17 townships, 10 are now under AA control. Heavy fighting continues in the other 7, especially in Ann, Gwa, and Maungdaw.

At present, only Sittwe, Taungup, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—areas without fighting—remain under military control. However, these towns lack phone and internet services.

Locals report that phone lines are completely down in Thandwe, Ramree, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, and Maungdaw townships.

In Paletwa Township, Chin State, also under AA control, all phone and internet services have been cut off. This has led to a complete halt in banking and money transfer services.