Arakan Army imposes first nighttime curfew across southern Rakhine State townships

Members of the Arakan Army patrol a street in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, on Aug. 25. (Photo: APM)

The Arakan Army (AA) has enacted a temporary nighttime curfew across the southern Arakan State townships of Thandwe, Gwa, and Toungup.

Implemented for the first time in these regions since mid-August 2026, the emergency measure responds to intensifying Myanmar regime air and naval bombardments alongside growing public security risks.

• Movement Restrictions: Local administrative sources confirmed that movement is strictly prohibited between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without prior authorization for medical or urgent emergencies.

• Public Safety Concerns: Beyond mitigating risks from military operations, the order aims to curb a recent surge in nighttime theft and localized criminal acts.

• Civilian Toll: According to AA statements, regime airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling killed at least 20 civilians and injured 22 others across Arakan State—including within the three southern townships—between Aug. 1-11.