The Kyauktaw – Paletwa waterway was partially reopened by the military on 3 December after an informal ceasefire was agreed with the Arakan Army (AA) at the end of November.
Citing security concerns, the regime had closed the waterway for three months after fighting with the AA resumed following the collapse of an earlier peace deal.
AA leaders said at their recent sixth press conference that they had agreed to stop fighting out of concern for civilians who are prevented by the military from receiving essential supplies. During the embargo, residents of Paletwa ran out of fuel, rice, cooking oil, and salt.
Some of the restrictions on waterways between Paletwa in southern Chin State and Kyauktaw in northern Rakhine State have been lifted.
A resident of Paletwa town told Khonumthung News on condition of anonymity that last Saturday two government watercrafts started transporting people, food, cars and other things.
“If they think about the people, it’s good. The IDPs (internally displaced persons) have run out of food and now we can take more for them. Regular residents will also bring food to Paletwa, so this is good for everyone.”
However, the military is still restricting private boats or cargo ships from travelling between Kyauktaw and Paletwa.