The Arakan Army (AA) signed a ceasefire with the Military Council, according to a 26 November statement by General Zaw Min Tun, a Military Council spokesman.

He confirmed to VOA and BBC News that following discussions over the previous few days, the junta and the AA have agreed a ceasefire in Rakhine State, where there has been intense fighting for over four months.

General Zaw Min Tun said: "We have been in discussions with the AA leaders. On the ground, fighting has stopped for the past three or four days.”

Prior to General Zaw Min Tun statement, the junta had not publicly mentioned that they were involved in peace talks with the AA.

U Khaing Thukha, an AA spokesperson said: “In order to solve the difficulties that the Rakhine ethnic people are currently facing, we mediated a ceasefire, that was agreed upon on 26 November, for humanitarian reasons. Although the AA has agreed on the ceasefire, the AA will not lose sight of its revolutionary path and political goals and will be keeping an eye on whether the Military Council troops actually abide by the ceasefire”, according to the local media outlet, Western News.

Residents from Rakhine have also told Mizzima that fighting. in Rakhine State appears to have stopped.

A resident of Pon Nar Kyun Township in Rakhine State said: “There hasn't been any heavy artillery fire in about two or three days here in Pone Nar Kyun Township… I believe the fighting has stopped. I think the AA stopped fighting because it was harvest season in Rakhine, but I’m not sure.”

Up until the third week in November junta troops were attacking Pone Nar Kyun, Kyauk Taw, Mrauk-U, Yathae Daung, Maungdaw, and Buthidaung townships with heavy artillery, resulting in many civilians being killed and injured, according to locals.

Despite the ceasefire junta troops are still blocking all trade routes and waterways in all Rakhine State townships, except for Pauktaw Township, according to local