Arakan Army (AA) spokesman U Khaing Thukha has confirmed that a second clash took place between the ethnic armed group and junta forces in northern Maungdaw Township on Saturday, after fighting first flared the day prior, shattering a tenuous peace between the two sides that had lasted more than a year.

The February 5 fighting broke out at about 3 p.m. along the Lat Pan Range northeast of Mee Taik village, where the hostilities first flared on Friday, the AA spokesman said.

“The fighting lasted about two hours and the Myanmar military suffered casualties. I don’t know exactly how many junta soldiers were killed in the clash,” he added.  

Saturday’s exchange of fire was triggered when junta troops stormed the Lat Pan Range, U Khaing Thukha said.

Casualties were previously reported after a clash broke out between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army near Mee Taik village in Maungdaw Township on February 4.

Local residents have expressed concerns about more fighting in the area, said U Maung Ohn, a former Arakan State lawmaker for Maungdaw Township

“Locals are worried about the resumption of fighting in the area. If the fighting resumes, the locals will lose their job opportunities and face difficulties,” the ex-MP added.

DMG contacted Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment on the most recent hostilities, but he could not be reached.

There have been almost no clashes between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army in Arakan State for more than a year, as the two sides reached an informal ceasefire arrangement in November 2020. Prior to the fighting over the past few days, the lone instance of renewed hostilities took place in Maungdaw Township in November of last year, when the two sides briefly exchanged fire.