The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is keeping a watchful eye on Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) affairs in the region amid growing concern that the situation on the ground could lead to a resumption of hostilities between the two sides, the AA said on December 10.

The AA said junta forces are traveling from one village to another in Arakan State citing a variety of pretexts, with frequent repositioning of Tatmadaw troops.

Junta forces have barred villagers from sleeping overnight at monasteries and transporting basic foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil and salt, causing difficulties for the people and raising tensions between AA and junta troops, the AA said in its statement.

The AA added that villagers attending the Sandawshin Pagoda Festival in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, were annoyed with the intrusive presence of Tatmadaw soldiers along the road to the event, who are ostensibly there to help with road repair works and to provide security.

The AA urged would-be festival attendees to review their plans to visit the pagoda and to conduct themselves with caution if a Tatmadaw presence in the area persists.

About 100 soldiers and policemen arrived at Saw Mae Kyi Kyun village in Pauktaw town on December 3, saying they had come to repair the road to Sandawshin Pagoda.

But the troops have proceeded to question local villagers, guests and pilgrims, contributing to a sense of unease surrounding the upcoming festival, celebrated this year from December 13-20.

Conflict between the Tatmadaw and AA lasted for some two years in Arakan State and neighbouring Chin State, with the two sides reaching an informal ceasefire toward the end of 2020.