A truce in the troubled western region appears to have crumbled with the military in open warfare against rebel groups.


Kyaw Hsan Hlaing is an award-winning journalist and researcher writing on political transitions, human rights, and issues related to civil war and eth... nic affairs in Myanmar. Follow him on Twitter @kyawhsanhlaing1
A truce in the troubled western region appears to have crumbled with the military in open warfare against rebel groups.

Lawmakers, activists killed amid concern over tit-for-tat retaliatory violence spiralling out of control.

Mostly Muslim minority find themselves target of renewed military intimidation over ties to rebel armed group

Recent skirmishes between Arakan Army and the military have raised concern about whether an informal ceasefire can hold.
![Clashes in Rakhine have raised concern that the informal ceasefire between the military and the Arakan Army could be at risk [File: Nyunt Win/EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/h_56690899.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 have left villagers entirely reliant on donations.
![Concerns are growing for the welfare of thousands who have been living in camps for displaced people for years and those who are struggling to feed themselves amid a COVID-19 lockdown [Supplied]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/005.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Lawyers in Myanmar say situation becoming ‘very VERY difficult’ as regime steps up arrests and harassment.
![The Myanmar military has arrested thousands amid continuing protests against its February coup and is also cracking down on lawyers [File: Lynn Bo Bo/EPA]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/h_57001088.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Healthcare workers have set up mobile clinics to treat protesters but say their biggest challenge is ‘not to get shot’ .
![An injured man being treated by volunteer medical responders after a crackdown by security forces in Myanmar's southern city of Dawei on February 28. [Handout via AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/000_93X8D7.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Ethnic minorities say they feel betrayed by politicians who have taken jobs with military’s State Administration Council
![A group representing more than 24 of Myanmar's ethnic minorities joined the protests last week. They are concerned some politicians have joined the generals' new government saying the military is the 'common enemy' of all people in Myanmar [Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG-0456.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Armed forces are notorious for their brutality and their chief led the brutal 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya.
![Many of the displaced from Myanmar's ethnic minorities were forced from their homes years ago. These Kachin women have been living in a camp for 10 years [Al Jazeera Staff]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DSC08776.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The families of 18 people taken by the military last March are still waiting for news of their loved ones – and justice.
![Villagers in Tinma are still trying to find out what happened to their loved ones after soldiers from the military arrested 18 people last March. They have not been seen since and an investigation has made little progress [File: Thein Zaw/AP Photo]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AP_17200192569272.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)