The navy has arrested at least 20 residents of Hainggyi Kyun, Ngaputaw township, since April 19, accusing the group of having ties to the Arakan Army.

Those detained were from villages located in Nga Pyay Ma village tract, and most are young ethnic Rakhines.

“More than 30 people have been arrested in one week of the military’s heavy-handed operations,” a local told DVB.

Residents said that the detainees are being interrogated and likely tortured at a naval base on Hainggyi Kyun Island and have not been allowed to see family members for more than two weeks.

Tensions between the AA and the military — nominally still observing a 2020 ceasefire — have risen dramatically in recent months, while the military also has a long history of displacing those settling areas which it considers holds strategic or economic importance.