Arakan Army enacts first nighttime curfew in southern Rakhine amid intensifying conflict

What happened

Local public broadcaster DVB English reports that the Arakan Army (AA) has imposed a temporary nighttime curfew across the southern Rakhine State townships of Thandwe, Gwa, and Toungup. This curfew is reportedly the first of its kind in these areas since mid-August 2026 and is a response to intensifying Myanmar regime air and naval bombardments coupled with rising public security concerns.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to local administrative sources cited by DVB, movement is prohibited daily from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. without prior authorization strictly limited to medical or urgent emergencies. The measure aims both to mitigate risks related to ongoing military operations and to counter a recent spike in nighttime thefts and localized criminal activity.

The curfew comes after the AA's statewide offensive launched on November 13, 2023, which pushed Myanmar’s military forces out of most of Rakhine State and bordering areas of Chin State, increasing the conflict’s complexity across multiple fronts. The region has seen repeated air and artillery strikes as part of the regime’s efforts to regain control.

Known from the source

• The Arakan Army has imposed a nighttime curfew in southern Rakhine townships of Thandwe, Gwa, and Toungup.
• The curfew restricts movement daily from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with exceptions only for urgent or medical reasons with prior approval.
• The measure responds to intensified Myanmar regime air and naval strikes as well as a rise in public security risks.
• The AA launched an offensive on November 13, 2023, that pushed Myanmar regime forces from most of Rakhine State and nearby Chin State border areas.
• The Arakan Army reports at least 20 civilian deaths and 22 injuries from regime airstrikes and artillery from August 1-11 in Rakhine, including in the curfew zones.

What remains unclear

The Arakan Army claims at least 20 civilians were killed and 22 others injured by regime airstrikes and artillery between August 1 and 11 across Rakhine State, including the municipalities under curfew. These casualty figures are attributed directly to the AA and have not been independently verified.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Civilian casualty figures provided by the Arakan Army for August 1-11. Verification of regime military activity and bombardment intensity in southern Rakhine townships during the specified period. Details on the official imposition and enforcement mechanisms of the curfew from other sources or regime statements.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.