In a case of what appears to be military posturing, the Myanmar navy is reportedly carrying out military exercises off the shore of Rakhine State.

The junta has been conducting a series of military exercises, heavy weapons firing exercises as well as military reinforcements in Rakhine localities, even though there exists an informal ceasefire by the Military Council with the Arakan Army (AA), Narinjara Media reported on 24 September.

The naval exercises were said to have been carried out in the sea near Mayu lighthouse, which is located southwest of the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, on Sunday.

The location of the military exercise is reportedly close to the waters of neighbouring Bangladesh. The Rakhine State Administration Council (RSAC) officially announced that a tactical sea exercise would be organised in relation to the military exercises on 24 September.

The Myanmar junta remains in a tense standoff with the AA, and also is reportedly dealing with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) that appears to be active in the north of Rakhine.

Rakhine State is still suffering from the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May and recent monsoon flooding.