In Thandwe Township, Rakhine State, rising military tensions between the Junta and the Arakha Army (AA) have brought clashes near the town, causing many residents to flee to safety.

Approximately half of Thandwe's population has fled to mainland areas, resulting in a sudden increase in airfares and bus fares.

“Many evacuated to Yangon, while others left for Gwa Township, where the fighting had not yet spread. Now, it has become impossible to buy plane tickets”, a Thandwe resident said.

The price of a plane ticket from Thandwe to Yangon has now increased to 450000 MMK, and the bus fare has risen to 250000 MMK per person.

Even though many rich and well off individuals have departed Thandwe, the town's poorer residents and manual laborers remain there.

The fierce clashes around Thandwe, which started on April 13, are now steadily advancing towards downtown, with the intensity of the conflict escalating.

"The Junta outpost near the Shwe Hlay Bridge has been taken by the AA. Yesterday, intense fighting erupted in the Thahtay area”, a Thandwe local told DMG.

As the fighting escalates, civilian casualties are rising daily due to increased shelling and airstrikes by the Junta.

This week, a Junta artillery shell exploded in Phayamaw village, killing a woman and seriously injuring a child.

"It is a very concerning situation that the Junta is deliberately targeting civilians who are not military targets at all”, the aforementioned source said.

AA has advised locals to stay vigilant and steer clear of the Junta's airstrikes, shelling, and drone attacks. It also encouraged digging bomb shelters near conflict zones and evacuating before getting caught between clashes.